
TELMO RODRIGUEZ Gaba Do Xil Mencía 2017
- SKU:
- 3389408
- UPC:
- 2310057411390
In 2002 Telmo Rodríguez bought the historic A Falcoiera vineyard in Santa Cruz Ourense. The old people in the town remembered this long-abandoned vineyard as being one of Galicia’s very best and he wanted to restore it to its former glory. This project to revive plots that been deserted since Phylloxera tore through them gave birth to Ladieras do Xil in Valdeorras (the “Valley of Gold”). From the 23 hectares of stubborn and difficult vineyards that they resurrected comes Gaba do Xil. Xil is the ancient name for the Sil river that flows through the region. It has many tributaries so to get between the terraced vineyards on the steep slate hillsides you must cross many bridges hence the label.
Gaba do Xil Tinto is pure Mencía from the interior of Galicia. Fermented using native yeasts and matured without seeing any oak whatsoever it’s a fresh and aromatic red that buzzes like Spain’s answer to Beaujolais. Ripe cherry and nervy pomegranate are flecked with savoury and earthy notes white pepper fresh herbs and a mineral character from the granite soils. We love this because it offers something a little different from the ubiquitous Tempranillo that Spain is so famous for. Light and crunchy it makes a great lunchtime wine or summer barbeque red for the intrepid wine explorer.
Telmo Rodríguez is one of Spain’s brightest stars and possibly one of the country’s greatest winemakers. In a similar story to one of Spain’s other greats Álvaro Palacios Telmo Rodríguez grew up at a renowned Rioja house but went travelling in search of something more. Although he returned to Remelluri and re-energised this great house it’s his work in Spain’s lesser-known regions that we love him for. For three decades he and his business partner Pablo Eguzkiza have been rediscovering and revamping historic areas throughout the country including Navarra Valdeorras Cebreros Toro Rueda Málaga and many more.
SKU No.: 3389408
Style No.: 863064
Region: Galicia
Grapes: Mencia
Closure: Cork
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 13%
Volume: 750ml
Allergens: Sulphites