A great Albarino
Spain is best known for its red wines, but there's a lot happening with whites, too, in this dynamic wine-producing country. Here's a really good example of the heights that Spanish whites can hit: a lovely expressive Albarino from the green northwest.
Fefinanes Albarino 2007 Rias Baixas, Spain
Made from grapes sourced from 66 growers in the Salnes Valley, hand harvested and fermented in stainless steel. Complex, expressive, herby and lemony. This is really delicious with beautiful fruit expression and lovely complexity. A stylish, elegant white. 92/100 (£14.99 Waitrose)
Made from grapes sourced from 66 growers in the Salnes Valley, hand harvested and fermented in stainless steel. Complex, expressive, herby and lemony. This is really delicious with beautiful fruit expression and lovely complexity. A stylish, elegant white. 92/100 (£14.99 Waitrose)
Labels: albarino, rias baixas, spain
posted by Jamie @ 10:10 AM
12 comments
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12 Comments:
Love Albarino so will have to check this one out, thanks Jamie!
92/100?! For an Albariño? Sure there's no point inflation recidivism here, Jamie? I'll have to seek this out...
92 points sure seems high. Thanks for the review though, will have to see where I can find it!
This is excellent wine. The Fefinanes occupies an excellent mid-point in the albarino ripeness spectrum for me - crisper than the more deeply coloured Valminor etc. They are also on a good run of quality through the last couple of vintages.
If people think albarino is not able to make wines worth high points scores, I would humbly suggest that they have not had good examples.
I consider albarino one of the great white grapes - a notional cross between riesling and white burgundy. The top wines are able to bear out that potential.
This is regularly one of the best Albariños around for my money.
I don't understand why people are amazed at a 92 point Albariño. Grab a bottle and check it out, this is a cracking wine...just don't chill it too much, 10-12 degrees C is perfect.
The best Albarino I have ever tried is the 'O' Rosal from Terras Gauda, which has a beautiful mineral character. I'd be surprised if this can beat it... We'll see!
Yes, Alex, it's world class - a step above almost all Albarinos I've tried
Stephen, the O Rosal is also totally brilliant and well worth seeking out. You are right.
I second the O Rosal- the best I've ever had too. This is very good too, of course.
You can buy the Fefinanes airside at Barcelona airport, which must have the most considered selection I've ever found in a major terminal- does anyone have any other recommendations of unexpected bargains for trapped travellers?
Has anyone tried Terras Gauda? That is one of my favourites.
But yes, Alex, you clearly haven't been drinking the right Albariños!
O Rosal is the district, btw, not the wine.
O Rosal is the district but also the name of the cuvee from Bodegas Terras Gauda in order to distinguish it from their pure Albarino which is known as Abadia de San Campio. It is a blend (uniquely) of Albarino, Caino (Terras Gauda has about 90% of the plantings of this amazing grape in Rias Baixas) and Loureira.
For those that like Albarino Fefinanes also produce 1583 Albarino(£28) and III Ano Albarino (£35 in an "Alsace" shaped bottle) both interesting wines - but at a price!! Like others the first "quality" albarino I found was the O Rosal but probably prefer the Fefinanes.
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