2015 Luis A. Rodriguez Vazquez, Ribeiro Blanco “Os Pasas” Vina de Martin, Spain.
The brilliant and Chablis like Luis A. Rodriguez Vazquez Vina de Martin Os Pasas Ribeiro Blanco is a blend of Treixadura, Albarino, Torrontes, Lado grapes from 10-25 vines grown on granite and sandy soils in Spain’s Galicia Atlantic influenced region. Luis Rodriguez’s wines are gorgeous in detail and class, especially his exceptional value Os Pasas bottling which is mostly Treixadura (a small yielding local white grape that almost went extinct in this area) from steep terraced vineyards, it was fermented with native yeast in stainless and aged on it’s lees for just under a year, this being his freshest cuvee doesn’t usually see any oak. Luis Rodriguez, who started his winery in 1988, his one of the great hero of this region that sits just north of Portugal, just 45 miles inland from the sea, it is a cool climate that shows through in the wines, with vibrant acidity, steely charms and delicate flavors highlighted by low natural alcohol, even in a warm vintage like 2015 his wines almost never get past 12.5%, Luis uses his grandfather’s old cellar in Arnoia, he has helped save native grapes and has certainly lifted the quality and reputation of this exciting old region, after the area suffered in the middle and later part of the last century, he’s brought interest in independent estates and gained international acclaim for the wines of the Ribeiro, both white and red, as they are great too. The Vina de Martin Os Pasas Blanco starts with leesy/smoky notes that always remind me of white Burgundy with light matchstick, brioche, white flowers and orchard fruits in a pale crisply focused wine that delivers a fine palate of lemon/lime, white peach, bosc pear and green apple fruits along with a steely mineral streak and energy as well as flinty/chalky notes and bitter herb. With air the Os Pasas gains character and subtle richness with showcases the vintage and house style with wonderful textures and elegant mouth feel with hints of verbena, oyster shell and unsweetened honeycomb adding to the complexity of this dry and focused white. His barrel aged A Teixa and Escolma are Grand Cru quality wines that are sourced from older vines, they really are majestic whites, which are beyond world class, but I adore this Os Pasas, in particular it stands out for the price, where it truly, as mentioned, compares well against Premier Cru Chablis, drink this joyous beauty over the course of the next 3 to 5 years.
($35 Est.) 93 Points, grapelive

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