We at Seckford are excited about the release of Adega Algueira - one of the pioneers in Ribeira Sacra, where they started in 1996 (and now Biodynamic). It's not that long ago, because the appellation is very recent—it was created that very same year. Algueira's wines are some of the best in the zone; the wines are produced from 23 hectares of own vineyards and around ten more hectares that Algueira either rents or controls. Annual total production only reaches just over 100,000 bottles, and they have a wide range and some unusual varietal bottlings.
Ribeira Sacra is one of the most exciting and dramatic wine regions, with extremely steep vineyard plantings, not dissimilar to the Mosel or Cote Rotie for the dramatic landscape. Located in the Armandi subzone, generally considered the best and most consistent area within Ribeira Sacra, the focus is on local grape varieties: these are wonderfully crafted wines and incredible value given the work put into the production.
Thankfully these wines are reaching a wider audience, as word spreads. No doubt helped by former El Bulli Sommelier, Ferran Centelles, proclaiming the wines as ‘truly a revelation’, we’re delighted to offer you this fantastic selection.
These wines are very difficult to track down but worth doing so. We have direct access to a small parcel, so we hope you take a case or two for yourself to explore the complexity that these vibrant red wines can show. Magnifico!
2015 Risco
£170 per 6 IB
Grape – Merenzao, 12.5% alcohol
Like the Brancellao varietal bottling, the Merenzao varietal bottling has also been renamed and is now the 2015 Risco. Merenzao is the same grape variety as Trousseau and is also is found under different names in Galicia (Bastardo, Maria Ordoña). In addition to the varietal characteristics of a light and fragrant red, it also has a creamy touch with a hint of sweet spices, perhaps from its 13 months in oak. 2015 was a warm and ripe year, and this has notes of red cherries that achieved good ripeness; it's a little more Mediterranean than other years. The palate is juicy, with clout but keeping its freshness, with fine tannins, quite drinkable and pleasant. Slate soils and aged in French oak barrels.
93 points, The Wine Advocate (Luis Gutierrez), drink 2019-2023
2015 Serradelo
£170 per 6 IB
Grape – Brancellao, 12.5% alcohol
The old Brancellao (also known as Albarello in other parts of Galicia) bottling has been renamed and is now the 2015 Serradelo. It's a pale, fragrant and aromatic light red with an earthy, somewhat rustic touch reminiscent of leather and licorice and a core of wild red berries and herbs that make it quite complex and attractive. The palate shows some earthiness and a faint animal-like twist that I've also seen in other vintages. Slate soils and aged in French oak barrels.
93 points, The Wine Advocate (Luis Gutierrez), drink 2019-2022
2015 Pizarra
£180 per 6 IB
Grape - Mencia, 13.5% alcohol
The current vintage of the Mencía grown on slate soils is the 2015 Pizarra, the year when they believe the vines—30 years old by then—expressed the soils where they are planted, on steep slopes. 2015 was a warm year, and they had to harvest quite early to avoid over-ripeness. Even though it is made with grapes from Ribeira Sacra, this has to be sold without appellation of origin because it fermented in 2,000-liter oak vats, which apparently is not allowed by the DO's rules. It matured in 225- and 600-liter French oak barrels for 30 months. It's a ripe and generously oaked Mencía with a more mainstream/international profile because of the oak aromas and flavors. It has the perfume and floral character that Mencía can sometimes have, but it is somewhat blurred by the use of wood. The palate is medium-bodied and reveals some dusty tannins. 8,290 bottles produced. It was bottled in January 2019.
91 points, The Wine Advocate (Luis Gutierrez), drink 2020-2024