O Bocoi Vello 2021

Originating from the Atlantic slopes of the Salnés Valley, in the heart of the Rías Baixas in Galicia, this wine is born in a landscape of granite hills close to the ocean. The vines, often trained on traditional pergolas, benefit from a cool, humid, and windy climate that preserves the natural acidity of the grapes. The poor soils, predominantly granite and sandy-loam, promote moderate yields and a very pure expression of the terroir. The proximity of the sea brings a marked saline influence, giving the wines a tension and minerality characteristic of this Spanish coastal area.

Made from Albariño grapes hand-harvested from old vines, this wine is crafted from carefully selected bunches, both in the vineyard and at the winery. Fermentation occurs with indigenous yeasts, without the addition of any oenological inputs, in order to respect the purest expression of the Atlantic terroir. Aging takes place over an extended period in large, old casks (bocoi), on the lees, with minimal intervention and no new oak, before bottling with a low dose of sulfur and, if necessary, light filtration.

This wine reveals notes of ripe citrus , stone fruit , and fresh apple , complemented by touches of white flowers and a saline minerality typical of granitic terroirs near the ocean. Subtle spicy and slightly smoky nuances emerge with aeration, adding complexity and depth. On the palate, the wine is ample and precise, supported by lively acidity , a slightly glycerine texture, and a long, taut, and mouthwatering finish that underscores its Atlantic character.

The history of wine in Spain is so ancient that no one really knows who first brought the vines to the region. By the time the Phoenicians arrived some 3,000 years ago and founded the present-day cities of Cádiz and Jerez, viticulture was already well established, and Spanish wines were widely traded throughout the Mediterranean and North Africa. You could say that Spain is a winemaking miracle. After years on the sidelines of the world of fine wines, it is now a major player. Investment and ambition in vineyards and wineries are resulting in increasingly rich, complex (often high in alcohol), and spicy reds that are gaining popularity with international consumers. Proud to have more land dedicated to vines than any other country, Spain is only now beginning to capitalize on this resource in a consistent way. Spain is a chaotic jumble of regions and subregions, much like its landscape is a chaotic jumble of incredibly rugged scenery. A glance at a map reveals the climatic diversity among Spain's many wine regions, from the lush, green vineyards of Galicia on the northern Atlantic coast to the parched vineyards of the southeastern Mediterranean. Spain's saving grace for viticulture is the average altitude of its vineyards, which is over 600 meters. Many Spanish vineyards are thus able to produce grapes with good color and acidity simply because nighttime temperatures are relatively low and the grapes don't ripen until after a sufficiently long growing season. But there is a real treasure trove to be found for those willing to dig, and now that a class of connoisseurs has developed in Spain, all sorts of ambitious investors have done their part to change the image of Spanish wine. Today, a new generation of winemakers has quietly begun to craft spectacular wines and experiment with grape varieties that would have been unthinkable not so long ago. Wine remains an important commodity and an integral part of Spanish culture.