To our palates, the finest examples of Rías Baixas Albariño cast the spotlight directly on the noble variety’s ability to convey purity of fruit, intensity of aromatic expressions, and the region’s special granite soils. Al alba del mar, or next to the sea, Xurxo Alba of the Albamar estate leverages bristling acidity and tactile saline minerality to amplify his Albariño’s special mix of citrus, melon, and tropical fruits. From vineyards featuring decomposed granite soils, the wine casts a pale, green-glinted gold color and classical Albariño aromas of lime zest, green pineapple, Pippin apple, and saline minerals. On the palate, the wine is packed with intense expressions of lemon, lime, tart green melon fruit driven by riveting acidity, and complex suggestions of jasmine, ginger, bay leaf, and white pepper. Showing superb transparency and focus, Albemar’s 2021 Albariño finishes with reprises of citrus and tart apple fruit lifted by riveting acidity and smoky, salty granitic minerals. This is superb Albariño that will delight now and over the coming three years partnered with prawns, seafood tapas, vegetable tortillas, steak fishes like swordfish or mahi mahi, sashimi, and mild cheeses. This Albariño just the way we like it!
An august 2022 newsletter selection
