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89POINTS
16¼/20
Albamar O Esteiro Tinto 2018
Rías Baixas, Galicia, SpainXurxo Alba's family has been farming and making Albariño in Rïas Baixas' O Salnés subregion for generations. It wasn't until Xurxo finished his enology studies that the Alba family started bottling and commercializing their wines in 2006, under his direction. The Alba family owns 2.5 hectares and sources approximately 10 hectares throughout the Atlantic influenced region. This red blend, a rarity in white-centric Galacia, is sourced from 100 year old vines rooted in Val do Salnes' sandy, granitic soils. The 95% Mencía, 3% Caíño Tinto, 2% Espadeiro was 80% whole bunch, and all is native fermented on skins over three weeks. The wine then undergoes aging for 8 months in small French oak barrels. It is bottled without fining or filtering. Fragrant red florals, pomegranate, walnut shells, mustard seed streaks along the slender palate, wrapping around a plum core, and shaped by brisk salinity as much as the sandy granitic soils. Acidity is tight and sharp, easily lofting this 11% red, while tannins are whisper fine. Quite intriguing; blind I would go to pockets of cool climate Oz, like Yarra or Clare.Tasted: 17 November 2021Tasted by: Treve RingPrices:| BC | $50.00 | 750ml | private wine stores |
Blend: Mencía - Caíño Tinto - Espadeiro
