Adega Ponte da Boga, Pizarras Y Esquistos, DO Ribeira Sacra, Spain, 2021

Producer Profile

Deep in Galicia’s Ribeira Sacra region, on the banks of the River Sil, Adega Ponte da Boga nestles amongst precipitous and ancient terraced slopes.

At harvest time, workers descend as if on a pilgrimage to pick the fruit from these steep, narrow terraces. Delicate hands and nimble feet ensure the grapes are passed up the slopes to the winery to begin the next stage of their journey. From vines, often in excess of 100 years old, come fresh elegant expressions of Albarino, Godello, Mencia and rare Merenzao and Blanco Lexítimo. Cooled by the bracing Atlantic air and basking in the warmth of Galician’s sunlight these precariously placed vines produce wines of authenticity and heritage.

Viticulture

Grapes are grown on the San Vitoriao vineyard on the banks of the Miño River, where the schist soil add a distinctive structure to the wines.

Winemaking

Grapes are destemmed and crushed, followed by fermentation for 10 days with gentle pumping over and a maceration for 8 days. This is an oaked style, with time in second and third fill French oak for 4 months to enhance the fruit.

Oak Ageing

Time: 4 Months
Type: French
% wine oaked: 100
% new oak: None

Tasting Note

Bright red fruit dominates the nose with soft mocha and spice notes. The palate is bright, finely structured from the schist soils, with fine, pure tannins, and red berry notes only enhanced by the well poised use of oak.

Food Matching

A beautiful and versatile wine that works well with red meats and seafood such as squid.

Awards

Jancis Robinson 17 Points
100% Mencía. From a vineyard in San Vitoiro de Ribas de Miño (O Saviñao, subzone: Ribeiras do Miño) is on slate soils, and their famous Viña Sindo (subzone: Amandi) on schist. South-facing aspect between 300 and 480 metres above sea level. The bunches were destemmed and pressed. Alcoholic fermentation with gentle pumpovers and a short maceration. Aged for 4 months in second- and third-use French oak barrels. 15,000 bottles Tasted blind. This is a very wild Mencía, with fresh black fruit, bay leaf and a touch of graphite. Complex nose, with great freshness and fine-grained tannin integrated with the freshness of the wine. Atlantic Mencía, with a crisp finish and delicate smoky touch at the back palate. Great bottle of wine and GV. 17 Points, FC, October 2024.