2024 Rodrigo Mendez "Cies" Albariño, Rias Baixas, Spain
ABOUT THIS WINE
Cies is produced from grapes grown in three vineyards: two high on the slopes and one low in the valley floor. All three vineyards are located in Meano, within the the Val do Salnes subzone of DO Rías Baixas. Located in Spain's upper northwest corner, Rías Baixas sits just above the border of Portugal. The name "Rías Baixas" means "low estuaries," a reference to the area's many rivers that lead to the Atlantic Ocean. Of the three vineyards farmed to make Cies, we find predominantly two soil types, 75% granite and 25% dark soil. The landscape is low undulating hills and the vineyards are planted on the slopes and on the flat valley floors. This area's climatic conditions give this wine an “Atlantic” character. Of the 5 subzones in Rías Baixas, Val do Salnes is the coolest due to the proximity of the Atlantic Ocean. Yearly rainfall is above 1,700 millimeters (66 inches), or what one would expect in one of the wettest regions in Spain. The area is quite foggy with an average temperature from April-October of 63.4F.
Half the wine is oak aged for 12 months and half is aged in stainless steel tanks. The portion aged in oak goes through aging (elevage) in two large 2,000 liter barrels. The wine does not undergo malolactic fermentation.
ABOUT THIS PRODUCER
Forjas del Salnés came to life in 2005 when vineyard owner and winemaker Rodrigo Mendez began to revitalize a rare piece of Galician history that was fading; the production of red and estate white wines. Red wine production in Rías Baixas had been popular in the early 1900s, but many farmers uprooted their lower-yielding red grapes in the seventies in favor of planting the more productive Albariño grape. Early in 2000, Rodri's mission became clear: to execute his grandfather’s lifelong dream of grafting and replanting the nearly extinct, ancient coastal red varietals in Val do Salnes and revive the nearly forgotten wines of his family’s history.
Original: $46.99
-65%$46.99
$16.45
Description
ABOUT THIS WINE
Cies is produced from grapes grown in three vineyards: two high on the slopes and one low in the valley floor. All three vineyards are located in Meano, within the the Val do Salnes subzone of DO Rías Baixas. Located in Spain's upper northwest corner, Rías Baixas sits just above the border of Portugal. The name "Rías Baixas" means "low estuaries," a reference to the area's many rivers that lead to the Atlantic Ocean. Of the three vineyards farmed to make Cies, we find predominantly two soil types, 75% granite and 25% dark soil. The landscape is low undulating hills and the vineyards are planted on the slopes and on the flat valley floors. This area's climatic conditions give this wine an “Atlantic” character. Of the 5 subzones in Rías Baixas, Val do Salnes is the coolest due to the proximity of the Atlantic Ocean. Yearly rainfall is above 1,700 millimeters (66 inches), or what one would expect in one of the wettest regions in Spain. The area is quite foggy with an average temperature from April-October of 63.4F.
Half the wine is oak aged for 12 months and half is aged in stainless steel tanks. The portion aged in oak goes through aging (elevage) in two large 2,000 liter barrels. The wine does not undergo malolactic fermentation.
ABOUT THIS PRODUCER
Forjas del Salnés came to life in 2005 when vineyard owner and winemaker Rodrigo Mendez began to revitalize a rare piece of Galician history that was fading; the production of red and estate white wines. Red wine production in Rías Baixas had been popular in the early 1900s, but many farmers uprooted their lower-yielding red grapes in the seventies in favor of planting the more productive Albariño grape. Early in 2000, Rodri's mission became clear: to execute his grandfather’s lifelong dream of grafting and replanting the nearly extinct, ancient coastal red varietals in Val do Salnes and revive the nearly forgotten wines of his family’s history.
