Pazo de Barrantes - Rías Baixas Gran Vino Albarino 2021

The influence of Marisol Bueno and Javier Mareque on the founding and development of the DO Rías-Baixas and its primary variety Albariño can be traced back to their purchase in 1979 of an ancient 16th-century country estate, its kiwi orchards, and old-vine Albariño vineyards. Located in the town of Meis, within the sub-zone of Val do Salnes, Pazo de Señorans lies close to the sea on acidic, sandy soils created by the natural decomposition of the granitic bedrock below. Early on, they recognized the potential of Albariño and were instrumental in creating the DO just a decade after they arrived in Meis.

Historically, geographically, and culturally, Galicia is a fascinating part of Spain quite distinct from the rest of the Peninsula. Widely known as Green Spain, the climate is moderate and can be surprisingly cool in the summer due to the region’s embrace of the chilly Atlantic Ocean. Located at the famed El Camino’s terminus, the area has always been relatively cosmopolitan, affluent, and independent. It has never been conquered nor occupied, so neither religious strife nor feudalism gained a foothold here. And, most of the land has historically been owned and controlled by the local inhabitants, who have turned the landscape into a network of small farms, cottages, and tiny villages surrounding the coast’s bustling port cities.

"The lovely Pazo Barrantes estate has been the home of the Creixell family since the 15th century. (They also own the Castillo Ygay estate in Rioja, with its Marqués de Murrieta wines.) Its 12ha of vineyards were replanted in 1982, and the winery opened in 1991. This wine spends two months on lees; 85% is then aged in stainless steel for seven months and 15% in 225L acacia wood barrels. It spends 16 months in bottle before release. Sarah Jane Evans MW: Opulent and perfumed with golden fruit. The palate is bold and intense with ripe fruit subdued by the oak, giving richness. A complex and individual wine. Pierre Mansour: Delightful blossom fruit and floral notes on the nose. Very elegant, with incredible length and real finesse. Beth Willard: Delicate honey and floral aromas. The palate is perfectly rounded by the oak, which lends a gentle sweetness and spice. Peach and apricot on the finish with a touch of mango." - 95 points, James Suckling

"The 2021 Gran Vino Albariño is the third vintage of this new cuvée from their 12 hectares in eight different plots (Cacheiro, Huerta, Besada, Eira, Ferradiña, Ferradura, Tomadiña and Souto) in the Valle del Salnés plus a further hectare rented from the archbishop. The destemmed grapes were pressed and the must let to settle and then fermented in stainless steel for around 30 days. The wine was kept with the lees in stainless steel for six months and then a further six months without the lees. Fifteen percent of the volume matured in acacia wood barrels. It was kept in bottle for around 20 months before being sold. It has 13.5% alcohol with a pH of 3.25 and seven grams of acidity (tartaric). It's pale and elegant, insinuating, perfumed, floral and subtle. It's lighter but very vibrant, and it's fresh and with volume and very tasty flavors. This could be the finest vintage to date—elegant, clean, classical and Atlantic. 105,274 numbered bottles and 1,827 magnums produced. It was bottled in July 2022. The wine is released almost two years after the harvest." - 94 points, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

Producer: Pazo de Barrantes

Country: Spain

Region: Galicia

Varietal: Albariño

Appellation: Rías Baixas

Vintage: 2021

Size: 750ml