Notes
It is a popular opinion in the Sierra de Salamanca that José Carlos Martín’s, Los Vientos, is the best monovarietal rufete one can find. The Rufete grape variety is indigenous to the Sierra de Salamanca; delicate and fine, it has some similar characteristics to pinot noir. The 80-year-old vines grow in terraced plots at 610 meters above sea level in a protected UNESCO biosphere reserve, surrounded by wildlife. Los Vientos is one of the few remaining Rufete monovarietals made in the Sierra de Salamanca DO.
Los Vientos is light cherry red in colour with a violet rim, clear and crystalline. Ripe red fruit, floral, with notes of sloe berries, fine cacao, and hints of wild herbs. On the palate, it’s fresh, structured, balanced, and juicy.
The cultivation is organic and completely manual and the wine is aged for a short period of 3 months in French oak in order not to influence the natural flavour of the Rufete grape.
This is an authentic terroir-wine, as are all the liquid creations of Luis Miguel and Autenticos Viñadores.
Facts
Annual Production: 3,000 bottles (The club has access to 300 annually)
Type: Tinto (Red)
Body: Medium
Palate: Dry, fresh, balanced and structured
Finish: Clean & crisp
Grape Variety: 100% Rufete
Viticulture / Farming: Organic & Sustainable - Terroir Driven
ABV%: 13.5
Ageing: short ageing - 3 months in French oak barrels
Winemakers: Luis Miguel Fernández and José Carlos Martín (viticulturist)
Bodega: Auténticos Viñadores
Region: Leon, province of Salamanca
Designation of Origin (DOP): Sierras de Salamanca, Subzone Santibáñez
Micro-Climate: Mediterranean - humid, mild winters, long and dry summers
Elevation: Average 610 meters above sea level
Age of Vines: Mature - over 80 years old, facing South (in Santibáñez de la Sierra)
Soil: Granite and slate
Tips
- Drink now or keep for up to 3 years
- No decanting necessary, just uncork 15/20 minutes before serving
- Pairs with Tapas, Manchego or any cheese (cow, goat or sheep), Ibérico ham, cured meats & cold cuts, Paté or any Spreads, Salads, Poultry, Pasta or Pizza, Legumes, Stews, Blue Fish or Meat, Game, all Mediterranean and Asian rice-based dishes spiced but not too hot.
- Ideal at room temperature or slightly chilled
Terroir
The Sierras de Salamanca DOP is situated in the South of the Province of Salamanca, comprising 26 municipalities, in central Spain towards the West. The area is a protected UNESCO biosphere reserve.
The very old vines of Rufete are close to Santibáñez de la Sierra, a small town found at the start of la Sierra de Francia. The terrace the vines grow on is oriented towards the South with sandy granite soils, ideal for the Rufete variety, as is proven by the ruins of an ancient stone winepress found amongst the old vines.
The climate is humid and Mediterranean with short mild winters and long dry summers. In the spring there is an abundance of precipitation that makes up for the sandy soil’s inability to retain water.
Vinification
The organically grown grapes are manually harvested into 10kg crates from their terraced plots facing the south. The bunches are manually sorted and selected in the winery before naturally fermenting under controlled temperature in small stainless steel vats for 60 days.
Winemaker
José Carlos Martín has spent many years carefully looking after his old Rufete vines. In fact, the popular opinion in the area is that his is the best rufete in the Sierra; he’s a straightforward man, caring, and a tireless worker. He treats his vines as if they were part of his family knowing that one day they will be a treasure he can pass on to his two sons.
Auténticos Viñadores (Authentic Viticulturists) was created by Luis Miguel Fernández, Albae’s sommelier and an expert winemaker; working with artisanal viñadores across various Spanish wine regions. This authentic Rufete wine is a collaboration between Luis Miguel and José Carlos in Las Sierras de Salamanca.
Ratings
8.8/10 Luis Points - Note: Luis Miguel Fernández has established his own rating and categorization method and is now a well known independent wine reviewer in Spain.
