2013 Alberto Nanclares, Albariño “Soverribas” La Vina del Mochuelo, Rias Baixas, Spain.
Another mind-blowing Albariño from Nanclares, the Soverribas has amazing clarity and delicacy with steely mineral intensity, leesy extract and beautiful detailing. These 2013 Albariños from Alberto Nanclares are a revelation, without question they are highly impressive white wines that should get lots of attention, these rival the best wines in Europe, especially this 2013 Soverribas with it’s pure crystalline elements and gorgeous brilliance. The regular Albariño felt maybe a touch richer and forward, the glorious Soverribas La Vina del Mochuelo is much more graceful, elegant and dreamy showing off it’s sea influence and granite soils with hints of brine and saline along with pretty mineral and wet stones. These vines are about 30 years old, farmed old school, organic and with very small yields that showcases the heightened energy and concentration. The balance and focus are truly special, the fruit is so clear and lifted by the acidity. I am reminded of Donnhoff’s GG Rieslings and or a great Chablis, think Les Clos, that is how good this Albariño is. The 2013 Nanclares Soverribas Albariño starts with tart green apple, lemon/lime, white peach, a hint of apricot along with chalky/oyster shell, shale and hazelnut, all forming in lovely fashion into a very pleasing wine with wonderful textures and subtle depth. The Soverribas drinks well now and is a remarkably complete as a young wine, it certainly expresses it self best with seafood, but it worked well with my Christmas dinner, and while not overt and showy this is serious stuff from Nanclares. Drink this exquisite Albariño over the next 5 to 7 years, this and all the Nanclares offerings are thrilling, worth every penny and should be considered elite examples of this varietal, do not miss!
($36 Est.) 96 Points, grapelive
