2020 Guimaro Ribeira Sacra - Sacra San Pedro Tinto

The Ribeira Sacra in Galicia, northwest Spain, is an important ancient wine region that fell into neglect and obscurity in the 20th century and came roaring back onto the serious wine scene a couple of decades ago. It is a spectacularly steep set of river valleys studded with tiny, terraced, slate-and-granite-rich parcels of old vines, most of which are planted with mencía, a beautifully terroir-expressive red variety. Pedro Rodríguez’s practicing-organic family winery Adegas Guímaro has become one of the reference-point producers in the Ribeira Sacra. 

'San Pedro' is 80% mencía, plus brancellao, garnacha tintorera, and other varieties, from a selection of vineyards on the Sil river (one of the two main rivers of Ribeira Sacra). All of the vineyards are over 65-years-old; the soils are slate with iron and quartz. The wine fermented in used French oak vats with some whole clusters. Èlevage was in 3000-liter used French oak foudres for 18 months. The wine was bottled unfined and unfiltered. Its saturated dark berry and stone fruits are supported by a deep (and steep!) mineral vein and floral tones. This is an elegant, full-spectrum Galician red with mild tannins and moderate acidity. Pour it into a big stem alongside beef noodle soup or a chickpea stew (spicy or not, in either case).