The pioneering duo of Pablo Eguzkiza and Telmo Rodríguez started working in the Val do Bibei in 2002. Recognizing the potential to make world-class wines in this historic valley, they began a project restoring vineyards that would take more than a decade to come to fruition.

Ladeiras do Xil is named for the hillsides along the Sil River (literally “slopes of the Sil”), which, along with the Miño River, is the lifeblood of the Ourense province, including the Valdeorras and Ribeira Sacra wine regions. Ladeiras do Xil produces a highly-coveted collection of extremely low-production, single-vineyard grand cru red wines: Valbuxán, As Caborcas, Falcoeira, and O Diviso, along with two white wines: Branco de Santa Cruz and Falcoeira Branco. All are field blends of indigenous grape varietals reflecting the purity and transcendence of one of the most exceptional terroirs in Europe. Ladeiras do Xil is a life’s project to recover and vindicate the exceptional sites along the Sil and Bibei rivers, uncovering their grand cru potential.

The undulating Bibei river valley has many expositions, but As Caborcas is one of the most prized positions by the older generation of Galician farmers. As such, it was the first single-vineyard selected by Telmo Rodriguez and Pablo Eguzkiza in 2010. The vineyard is 2.5ha, mostly northwest-facing, below the village of Santa Cruz and directly above the Bibei river, which strongly influences this vineyard, creating a microclimate that lends a freshness to the fruit. The name As Caborcas means “vineyard by the little river.” As Caborcas tends to be incredibly aromatic, with silky tannins and wild fruit character, speaking to the grand cru nature of the plot. Being at once both elegant and powerful, a very Atlantic Galician feeling runs through the wine.

As Caborcas is a unique vineyard full of different varieties, of different ages, from different strains, growing at different altitudes and exposures. The vineyard has two parts, one younger parcel and another which is more than 80 years old. Among the native grapes planted are mencía, merenzao, sousón, godello, and brancellao. Viticulture is organic, the grapes are hand-harvested, and wines are made with low intervention. As Caborcas is extremely limited.

Vinification – Following a manual harvest in small crates, fermentation begins spontaneously with native yeasts in small French oak barrels and stainless steel tanks. The wine is then blended and aged for 15 months in used 1,500L and 2,000L foudres before being fined with egg whites and bottled unfiltered.

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