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El Pecado
El Pecado
El Pecado is made by Bodegas y Viñedos Raul Pérez from one of the most spectacular vineyards in the world in the Ribeira Sacra DO region. This wine is a masterpiece and it’s perhaps Raul finest wine, not because of Raul but because of the vineyard. This is precisely why Raul is such a gifted, inspired winemaker. Raul is secure enough in his ego that he would rather show the place than his winemaking technique or his personality. In any given vintage, Raul can extract all the virtues of a place and leave behind the defects. Raul Pérez is one of Spain’s finest winemakers and some wine trade veterans believe Raul is among a handful of the best winemakers in the world. Raul believes great wines are made in the vineyard and he has an uncanny knack for knowing what his vineyards need to achieve their greatest potential. As his virtuoso winemaking talent has become known, many winemakers now seek to collaborate with Raul. During Roman times, Ribera Sacra’s district of Amandi was filled with gold mines. Once the gold was gone, the Romans planted vineyards on these steep slopes. The slaves had to work so hard on the 65° gradient slopes they called this area "hell." El Pecado (‘The Sin’) is Raul's way of communicating a forgotten peace of Roman slave history. If you love DRC’s La Tache but hate the price, try El Pecado.
What makes this wine unique?
This is a one-of-a-kind wine made by Raul Perez. This wine comes from one of the most amazing vineyard sites in the Ribeira Sacra region which consistently produces high quality wines in good and bad years. El Pecado is a limited-production wine; less than 120 cases are made for the world! The layers of flavor are so complex, it is difficult to narrow down with words how good the experience of tasting this wine is.
Rating history:
2008 95RP; 2007 98RP; 2005 98RPGrape:
100% Mencía.
Pairing Suggestions:
With a copious amount of graphite, pencil lead and carbon-laden minerality, this wine has a cornucopia of wild red and blue berry, forest floor, savory spice and herb-tinged aromas. In the mouth, the wine has silky, spicy, angular fruit given great definition by sublime acidity and “cut” with a trace of persimmon and herbs de Provence. Pair this wine with pate de campagne, roast chicken with wild herbs and rich-flavored dishes like foie gras and roast beef with wild mushrooms.
Vinification and ageing:
The grapes are macerated with 50% whole clusters in large 5,000-liter neutral oak vats (foudres). Punching down (pigeage) takes place once a day until fermentation takes place. Once fermentation is finished, the large vat is sealed with clear plastic and an extended, post-fermentation maceration is carried out for 60+ days. After this, the wine goes into smaller oak barrels where it is aged for twelve months.
Production:
115 4-pack cases made; 16 for the U.S.
Location, Soil, Climate:
In Zone #1, Ribeira Sacra is one of the most inland wine regions of Galicia. Ribeira Sacra, which could be translated as "Sacred Shore" has 5 subzones from north to south: 1. Chantada, 2. Amandi, in the municipality of Monforte de Lemos, 3. Ribeiras do Miño, the largest sub-zone, 4. Ribeiras do Sil-Ourense, and 5. Quiroga-Bibei. El Pecado is made within the Amandi subzone which is one of the warmest (Mediterranean) and has great minerality. The soil is 100% pizarra, or slate stone. Ribeira Sacra’s climate is more Continental/Mediterranean than Atlantic. Here, average yearly rainfall is 32 in. vs. 66 in. in Pontevedra, near the Atlantic Ocean. Average temperatures from April-October are 64.50°F.
Tasting notes:
El Pecado is 100% Mencia from Ribera Sacra and received the same elevage as the two preceding wines. It offers up exotic, kinky aromas of mineral, incense, Asian spices, lavender, boysenberry, cranberry, and black raspberry. On the palate it is satin-textured, intense, complex, and stylish.
Alcohol Content:
13.5%
UPC Code:
8437008409627
