Syrah in Axarquia wood. Something completely different for a change…

Only the Syrah grape is used here in this Descalzos Viejos Rufina. Las Santas Rufina, one of the two monovarietal wines of the bodega DV, as well as one of the two saints that still stand on the wall in the chapel of the former monastery of Descalzos Viejos. This Descalzos Viejos Syrah flagship of the bodega, a wine with a Mediterranean character and an Atlantic spirit, is, due to its unique method of production (…con raspon, or whole bunches instead of destemmed), a very different Syrah from what one is accustomed to.

Rufina is purple-red in color and has a subtle aroma: initially more herbal and balsamic than mineral, ripe black fruit; elegant, fresh on the palate with a long, balanced finish. Clearly a somewhat greener style, fresher, less heavy, and aged for 16 months in 500-liter barrels that previously held a sweet wine from the region. Axarquia – Malaga was stored in, all of that makes it a unique Syrah, which embodies all the characteristics of the Ronda region.

The vines are situated on a unique plot at an altitude of 650 meters along the Tagus – the river that cuts through Ronda – resulting in a deep limestone soil with a sandy loam layer on top. This, combined with Ronda’s unique microclimate, ensures that Ronda wines are different: fresh and full of flavor. Here, too, production is very low at just 1,880 bottles. So, act fast here. Do give the wines plenty of air. Decant them in a carafe an hour beforehand for the best result.

Who were this Rufina and her sister Justa… who were appointed saints… and the namesake of this wine.

These two female saints are together in the Martyrologium Romanum named.

In Seville, Spain, the suffering of the holy virgins Justa and Rufina. They were taken into custody by the governor Diogenian and first torn apart on the rack. Afterwards, they were tortured with imprisonment, starvation, and all kinds of torments. Eventually, Justa died in prison; Rufina, however, had her neck broken for her confession of the Lord.

A legend from the sixth century reports that Justa and Rufina were daughters of a potter in Seville. One day about the year 304, a procession in honor of a pagan (read Latin) fertility god passed through their house. Procession goers broke some pots. Justa and Rufina then destroyed the image of their idol.
Another version reports that both sisters gave a lot of money to the poor and helped their father sell the tableware made by him.
When some women came into their shop to buy pottery for an offering to the goddess Venus, Justa and Rufina refused.
The shoppers then destroyed all the pottery. Justa and Rufina did not lag behind and, in turn, destroyed the statue of Venus.
They were charged before the governor with sacrilege with the happy ending as mentioned above.