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Vino de la Tierra de Castilla


Bodega Ecologica Bruno Ruiz




Ruiz Villanueva Joven

Produced from 100% Cencibel (Tempranillo) grown in
the estate vineyards, this young delicate wine
shows lovely cherry-red to violet colors, which lead
to aromas and flavors of raspberries, currants and licorice.

Organically grown, the grapes are hand harvested and brought to the winery in small (14kg) boxes. Here the bunches are hand sorted, and in order to limit tannins and preserve the brilliant color, fresh fruit and vitality the whole bunches undergo carbonic maceration. This traditional process involves placing the whole, uncrushed, grapes into stainless steel tanks filled with carbon anhydrade. Left to macerate for 16 days, the bottom grapes begin to crush from the natural weight of the grapes above them. This first juice begins to ferment and then the whole grapes themselves follow. After the 16 days, the fermenting bunches are a passed through a gentle pneumatic pressing and fermentation is then completed in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks.

The lovely textured fruit and mild tannins balance nicely with the natural acidity. Though stressing freshness and youth, Ruiz Villanueva Joven 2003 retains complexity and structure without the use of oak, which makes it a good friend to many foods. Excellent with traditional rice and pasta dishes, this red also pairs nicely with various goat cheeses.

Ruiz Villanueva Barrel Aged

Produced from 75% Cencibel (Tempranillo), 15% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Syrah all grown in the Ruiz Villanueva Estate Vineyards, this complex red shows a deep purple color in the glass with aromas and flavors of blackberries, dark fruits and spice with a hint of herbs and just a subtle touch of toasty oak.

Just at the magic point of ripening when sugar and acidity levels are ideal, the organically grown grapes are hand harvested and taken into the winery in small (14kg) boxes. Hand sorted, the bunches are broken and left to macerate for approximately ten days. After the initial maceration and a gentle pass through the pneumatic press, the grapes are fermented in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks and following racking, aged in French and American barriques.

Ruiz Villanueva Barrel Aged unites power and amplitude with elegance and grace, with its concentrated fruit aromas and flavors balancing harmoniously with the fine tannins, natural acidity and subtle oak. Bottle aging has rounded out the wine and added an additional layer of complexity and elegance. Roast lamb and game spring to mind when looking for food matches, but this powerful yet delicate wine also shows beautifully on its own.



Land and History

A stellar example of Spain's burgeoning new generation of vineyard owners and winemakers, brother and sister team Ana and Julian Ruiz Villanueva (pictured left) have transformed a long family history of grape growing into a dynamic winery where purity and quality reign. Nurtured for generations, the family vineyards of over 160 acres are located within what is known as the Mancha Marshland, between the municipalities of Quero and Puebla de Almoradiel (Toledo). Some of the most beautiful Tempranillo vines in Castilla La Mancha can be found growing here amid the lagoons and barren plains.

With a goal of making a pure wine, as expression of the land and climate, oenologist and viticulturalist for the winery, Julian Ruiz Villanueava, brought the vineyards into official European organic compliance in 1998. Meticulous care for the environment is vital, and as with all bioorganic farming no chemical or synthetic products are ever used in the growing of the grapes.

New temperature controlled stainless tanks, pneumatic press and other modern equipment take their place in the restored family estate, which dates back to the mid 18th century. The juxtaposition of the gleaming equipment against the antique timber, stucco and masonry illustrates the desire to bring together the best of the present with the memory and respect for what generations before have passed along.

We at VinLozano were not originally searching specifically for organic wines, as it is our belief that a wine must stand on its own merits, not merely on a label such as "Organic." After meeting Ana and Julian, however, and visiting their home and vineyards, and tasting their wines we were convinced that these were special. The two offerings are loaded with flavor, complexity and unique personality. In our minds the fact that they are also organic is merely icing on the cake.









VinLozano Imports Inc.
"Spirited Wines of Spain"