A Torna dos Pasas 2023

A Torna dos Pasas is a Galician red from Luis Anxo Rodríguez in Arnoia, in D.O. Ribeiro. Rodríguez founded his small family winery in 1988 and works 2.7 hectares spread across 29 plots, focusing on local varieties, recovering the sandy siliceous soils of the sloping terraces and farming at low yields, by hand and with care for the land. This wine blends the native Caíño Tinto, Ferrol and Brancellao from old-vine areas replanted with local cuttings. The sandy, free-draining siliceous soils keep yields low and lend a light, fresh structure, while the Atlantic-influenced climate of inland Galicia preserves the high natural acidity that marks these grapes. The wine ages six months in used French oak, which rounds the texture without adding new wood character, leaving the fruit and freshness intact. The colour is bright ruby, the nose offers red berries, cherry and redcurrant over cracked pepper, wild herbs and a floral note. The palate is light and fresh at 12 percent, with fine tannins, vivid acidity and a savoury, stony finish. Serve at 14 to 16 degrees, lightly cool. It suits poultry and game birds.