Forjas del Salnes, 'Goliardo', Tintos de Mar Single Bottle

Country: Spain Region: Rias Baixas

Varietal: Caiño, Espadeiro, Loureiro, Souson Vintage: 2021 

Colour: Red

Producer: Forjas del Salnes

Description:

In the 1970s, most vintners in Rías Baixas were pulling up their old red grapevines to make way for the more productive, more en vogue, Albariño. Thankfully, the Méndez family was doing the exact opposite, planting more traditional vines, such as Caiño, Espadiero and Loureiro Tinto, in a successful attempt to preserve and revive this central element of Galician heritage.

This mission of preservation was kick-started in earnest during the early years of the 21st Century when Rodrigo Méndez and respected winemaker Raúl Pérez joined forces to produce not just some of the most astonishing Albariño available, but also the rare Galician reds that just a century beforehand were the pride of the region. Using traditional methods learnt over generations, Forjas del Salnés was born in a garage winery in 2005 and named after the ironworks set up by his grandfather, Francisco Méndez. Here they work the fruits from just 7.5 hectares of vines, grown in the villages of Meaño, Sanxenxo and Barro.

No amount of words can adequately describe the wines from Forjas del Salnés. To taste them is to taste true examples of Galician history, with the slight bite of Atlantic salinity reminding you of the coastlands from which they originate.

Today, Rías Baixas is still mostly synonymous with white wine, the vast majority of which is from cloned Albariño, but Forjas del Salnés is a unique jewel on the landscape, with its elegant, light reds. 

Tasting Note:
This is an Atlantic red with the spicy, black pepper nose, typical of Caiño, and a wild character of
herbs and flowers. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, a silky, fine texture and great freshness, long and
really tasty finish with a salty note.

Food Matches: Seafood / Pork / Veal