2014 Alberto Nanclares, Albariño, Rias Baixas, Spain.
First, if you’ve not had these wines by Alberto Nanclares and Silvia Prieto you are missing out on some fantastic Albariño, these two are crafting some of the greatest dry white wine under $40 period, these wines show terroir excellence and have exceptional life and intensity. The 2014 Alberto Nanclares Albariño is from vines that range from 30 to 100 years old grown on sandy granite rich soils, this cool Galician climate and the Atlantic Ocean lend influence and complexity to this dynamic acid filled and mineral driven white. Nanclares and Prieto hand harvest, in 2014 harvest was late due to the cool and wet summer, then the grapes from various plots are slow pressed whole cluster and ferments are natural with low sulfur, half the wine is raised in stainless and half in neutral French cask, they employ a no malo approach and the wine is left on the lees and unfiltered, bottled after about 8 months. The latest Albariño is profound, vital and bursting with tension, very dry Riesling, Premier Cru Chablis and Gruner like, with good depth and extract, but light/medium weight and while riveting and brisk there is a background of textural sensuality and harmony. The nose is briny with citrus, oyster shell and verbena, the color is lightly golden with yellow tints leading to an electrically charged and steely palate of lime, been apple, white peach, hints of tropical essences, flinty wet stones, bitter herbs, yellow roses and crisp melon. Salty and fresh the Alberto Nanclares Albariño is just gorgeous in detail and expression, the last three vintages have been a revelation, imported by Jose Pastor, these wines have me obsessed, search them out, especially this 2014 Alberto Nanclares Albariño bottling, it’s clarity and vigor are spellbinding, drink over the next 3 to 5 years. The Nanclares Albariño is a glorious food wine and can replace Muscadet for oysters, and it holds up to many cuisine choices, seafood of course, but also cheeses, ham and medium spicy fare, it also great as a summer refresher with just 12.5% alcohol and delicious tangy stone fruit, brilliant stuff.
($30 Est.) 94+ Points, grapelive
