Ronsel do Sil
Ribeira Sacra, Galicia, Spain
Ronsel do Sil is situated in one of the world's most extreme grape growing regions, the Ribeira Sacra DO of northwestern Spain. With vineyards planted throughout treacherously steep slopes (ranging from 300 to 700 meters above sea level), all pruning, maintenance, and harvest is carried out by hand on old terraces built by the ancient Romans called Bancales.
Maria José Yravedra is an absolute visionary for the region, producing wines that not only show incredible varietal integrity, but she accomplishes this through natural farming and biodynamic principles, making around 45,000 bottles a year from their 10 hectare estate. Her philosophy is based on what she calls 'heroic' viticulture, reflecting a sincere balance with nature, though love and compromise with the land. Aside from composting each year with gorse (the last harvest's pruning and remains), sheep graze the vineyards once a year to add their natural flare and keep excess plants at bay.
In the cellar, an absolutely minimal approach is the secret to each perfect bottling, with a gravity flow system instead of pumps, all old wood and concrete use for aging, and very little sulfur additions, letting the native grapes of the area tell their individual story
Our Selections
Ronsel do Sil Ribeira Sacra Tinto Mencia vel`uveyra 2021
The Ronsel do Sil Vel’uveyra comes from the estate’s steep terraced vines that range between 10 and 60 years in age and are picked at a range of altitudes. Vela`uveyra, which means “to gaze at the vineyards” in the local dialect, is predominately Mencia, with small amounts of Garnacha and the local Negreda, all from granitic soils. The grapes are hand harvested and brought into the cellar for a cold (pre-fermentation) soaking, before fermenting spontaneously in 5,000-liter oak foudres, followed by 8 months of aging in concrete before bottling. The wine is delicious with spicy dark fruit on the nose. Medium body with good clarity. Dark core. Blue/purple with a watery edge. Has the Syrah like character typical of Mencia. Hint of white pepper and brambly fruit. Fresh on the palate with good acidity. Only 12.5% alcohol. This northwestern Spanish red is versatile with a range of dishes and could even bear a little chill.
Ronsel do Sil Ribeira Sacra Tinto Merenzao Alpendre 2019
The Ronsel do Sil ‘Alpendre’ Merenzao comes from some of the steepest slopes of the region, situated at 500-750 meters above sea level, and all from east facing mountainsides with a 50% slope. This dramatic terroir is full of granite and slate soils and 50 year-old Merenzao vines. Merenzao is the local name for Trousseau, the grape that has gained fame in the Jura.. Hand harvesting is mandatory here, and can also be very dangerous, due to the steep slopes. Spontaneous fermentation is done in 2500 liter oak foudres. Once complete, the wine is racked into a handful of neutral French oak barrels of 228 and 500 liters where it rests for six months before bottling (only 1,700 bottles were made).
The resulting wine is alive and expressive with a light color, a sweet, bright nose of strawberry and black pepper. Crackling with energy, there is an elegance to the wine that reflects the house style. The palate is long and seductive, with fresh raspberry and black cherry notes, hints of spice and flowers. The finish is long with bright and mouth-watering acidity. 13.5% alcohol.