Luis A. Rodriguez Vazquez - Viña de Martin 'Os Pasás' 2020

Luis Rodriguez established his bodega in 1988 with the goal of making terruño-driven wines from indigenous grape varieties, such as Treixadura, Brancellao and Caiño that were on the verge of extinction at the time. Luis has slowly accumulated almost 6 hectares comprised of nearly 180 micro-parcels, most replanted by Luis using either seleccion massale or grafting onto old Palomino rootstock, and located on the southwestfacing, granitic hillsides of his hometown of Arnoia. Luis makes wine in the same cellar as his grandfather, where he utilizes native yeasts, judicious SO2, and practices élevage in steel tank, foudre and mostly used, larger French oak barrels.

The Ribeiro D.O. is an ancient Galician wine region located 45 miles inland from the Atlantic Ocean, just north of Portugal. Ribeiro had historically produced Spain’s most prestigious white wines, but in the early 20th century oidium, phylloxera, and war devastated the region and Ribeiro’s wines lost favor. Native vines were torn up, and Palomino was widely planted due to its higher yields. Cooperatives took over most of the production. By utilizing a mix of old-fashioned and modern winegrowing methods, Luis and a few others are responsible for the revitalization of artisanal Ribeiro winegrowing.

The grapes for Luis’ main white wine Os Pasas come from terraced hillsides and is comprised of roughly 70-75% Treixadura, a variety known for producing delicate, peachy, and flinty wines ideal for blending with the higher acid varieties like Albariño and Lado, and the floral Torrontés. The grapes were hand-harvested, destemmed and fermented with native yeasts in steel vat, and raised in vat for 10-12 months (with 3 months on fine lees) before bottling with a light clarification (bentonite) and filtration. Os Pasas is a fresh light- to medium-bodied vinho branco with beautiful structure and subtle flavors of citrus, honey, and seashell minerality.
 

Producer: Luis A. Rodriguez Vazquez

Country: Spain

Region: Galicia

Varietal: Treixadura, Lado, Albariño, Torrontes

Appellation: Ribeiro

Vintage: 2020

Size: 750ml