2022PazodaSinsela‘SanClemente’Albarino,RiasBaixas,Spain

<p>When two of Spain’s greatest winemaking luminaries get together to join forces on a tiny, collaborative project, it is certainly something worthy of your attention. Such is the case with Pazo da Sinsela, where long time friends Raul Perez and Rodrigo Mendez (from Forjas del Salnes in Rias Baixas) began a new joint venture in Salnes, arguably Rias Baixas’ finest subzone, starting in 2021. </p><p>Earlier that same year, the duo were able to find a<em> Pazo</em> (or vineyard) of <em>grand cru</em> potential in Sisan, Ribadumia planted to 3 hectares of Albarino vines. They were able to sign a long-term lease on the property with a 20 year contract. The vineyard is only 10 KM from the sea, and with soils that are very silty as they are also close to the river Umia. These soils help keep freshness in the grapes, as well as impart a classic, salty minerality to the wines.</p><p><em>San Clemente</em>, is the <em>crown jewel</em> of the property, and is made from the heart of the estate, a single plot of their oldest vines, grown in the traditional pergola system. It is aged in a single 1500 liter <em>foudre</em>, also for 12 months. Neither wine sees any malolactic fermentation. Both wines have that salty <em>Salnes</em> character with the San Clemente showing amazing structure and power from the old vines.</p>