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Vinos Sin-Ley
Emili Esteve (above) and Manuel Martinez (below)
Emili Esteve (above) and Manuel Martinez (below)
Country of Origin: Spain
Location: Multi-Region
People: Manuel Martinez, Co-founder | Emili Esteve, Enologist
Supplier: http://www.oleimports.com


Vinos Sin-Ley, the literal translation is "wines without law", a project with the two fold objective to create 'new wines' that are focused on expressing their respective grapes and terroirs, while also being accessible to consumers, as a great value. The concept is driven by creative innovations utilizing non-conventional methods of harvesting, fermenting, blending and aging. The results are wines with fresh fruit driven flavors, distinct from other wines in the past. Vinos Sin-Ley is composed of a group of resourceful young winemakers from all across Spain. Vinos Sin-Ley shares a common philosophy driven by experimentation and innovative insight to make value oriented, well-crafted wines. They meet twice a year to set in place new projects of mutual interest and to share their collective knowledge of the winemaking techniques to be implemented.

VSL was created in 2003 by Emili Esteve, a gifted oenologist from Catalunya, and frequent collaborator with Ole Imports on several projects and Manuel Martinez, from Madrid, the wine maker behind G5, Zestos and Manu; in 2005 other talented young winemakers joined in, offering new wines with appealing new twists, while adding great value to the market.

The evolution of Spanish winemaking and cuisine have been undergoing momentous changes over the last several years. As in most major wine growing countries, the authorities for demarcated wine regions, DOs in Spain, have regulations or laws in place for wine making, to some extent, limiting a winemaker's ingenuity and creativity. These regulations concern such things as the utilization of particular grapes varieties, farming methods, dictating yields per hectare, oak barrel ageing, etc. These laws can interfere with wine making innovations, often a limiting factor in preventing winemakers from achieving their best efforts. Once a winery decides to adhere to a DOs labeling terms such as "reserva" for example, it has to comply with the particular restrictive requirements. Vinos Sin-Ley chose not to be limited by this-and to go at it 'without law'or sin ley, allowing for a flexible and creative environment, here innovation and imagination results in 'new'distinctive quality wines that represent a remarkable value.

These winemakers make their own small cuvees the way they like at their respective wineries, it's the Vinos Sin-Ley way of doing things. Its a win-win situation for both the winery and the winemaker, both parties profiting from learning new winemaking and viticultural techniques.
Items
Vinos Sin-Ley 2011 Garnacha, Vinos de Madrid DO Net Price Reviews —
Vinos Sin-Ley 2011 Monastrell, Yecla DO Net Price Reviews —
Reviews
Vinos Sin-Ley 2011 Garnacha, Vinos de Madrid DO
Rating: 90

Bright ruby. Intense floral and spice notes accent aromas of fresh raspberry and cherry. Very sweet and silky, with ripe red berry and spicecake flavors lifted by a kick of white pepper. Finishes sweet, spicy and long, with intense raspberry confit and bitter cherry character and very good clarity.

- International Wine Cellar (9/1/2012)

Vinos Sin-Ley 2011 Monastrell, Yecla DO
Rating: 90

(aged for three months in used French oak): Deep ruby. Ripe cherry and blackberry scents are lifted by a peppery quality and pick up an exotic sandalwood nuance with air. Bitter cherry and spicecake flavors are sweetened by a subtle mocha quality and lifted by tangy acidity. Smooth and fruit-driven on the finish, which features supple tannins and a late kick of white pepper.

- International Wine Cellar (10/1/2013)

Vinos Sin-Ley 2011 Monastrell, Yecla DO
Rating: 92

Another stunning value from Yecla, the 2011 Vinos Sin Ley Monastrell (100% Mourvedre from organic vineyards) possesses a dense purple color as well as a big, sweet bouquet of blueberries, blackberries, and chalky, earthy soil, and a heady, rich, full-bodied finish. It combines elegance with richness despite the fact that this area is known more for the rusticity of its wines than their finesse. Drink it over the next 4-5 years.

- The Wine Advocate (8/1/2012)