Ladeiras do Xil "As Caborcas" Val de Bibei Valdeorras 2016

As Caborcas was the first of Ladeiras do Xil’s three single-vineyard red wines to explore the singular expressions of the remote and ancient Bibei valley, located on the border of the Valdeorras and Ribeira Sacra subzones in Galicia. The vineyard is a 2.5ha, mostly northwest-facing plot, below the village of Santa Cruz, and located directly above the Bibei river. The name As Caborcas means “vineyard by the little river.” As Caborcas tends to be incredibly aromatic, with silky tannins and wild fruit character, speaking to the grand cru nature of the plot, being at once both elegant and powerful, a very Atlantic Galician feeling runs through the wine.

The undulating Bibei river valley has many expositions, but As Caborcas is one of the most prized positions by the older generation of Galician farmers. As such, it was the first single-vineyard selected by Telmo Rodriguez and Pablo Eguzkiza in 2010. As Caborcas is a unique vineyard full of different varieties, of different ages, from different strains, growing at different altitudes and exposures. The vineyard has two parts, one younger parcel and another, which is more than 80 years old. Among the native grapes planted are mencía, merenzao, sousón, godello, and brancellao. The wines of Ladeiras do Xil are strictly produced by natural principles. Viticulture is certified organic, and the grapes are hand-harvested. Wines are made with low intervention and minimal sulfur at bottling. As Caborcas is extremely limited.