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Bodegas Altos de Torona Albariño Rías Baixas Sobre Lías 2017

Bodegas Altos de Torona Albariño Rías Baixas Sobre Lías 2017

A more fruit-driven expression of Albariño, the Altos de Torona Sobre Lias 2017 is fairly bursting with aromas of yellow peach, banana chip, green apple, and citrus. Lovely freshness and roundness in the mouth, followed by saline-tinged smokiness—the wine’s granitic origins come through on the finish as well as a rather haunting, singular banana note. […]

Pazo Pondal Rías Baixas Albariño 2016

Pazo Pondal Rías Baixas Albariño 2016

Lovely mouthfeel in this biodynamically farmed, multi-dimensional Albariño from Pazo Pondal. Dewy pear, melon, lemongrass, a whiff of gunflint, and smoke round out the nose. Texturally it’s quite pretty, and round in the mouth, with a bit of skin-ferment bite. That wonderful texture persists through to a moderate finish tipped in lime zest and fleur […]

Bodegas As Laxas Albariño Brut Sensum Laxas 2016

Bodegas As Laxas Albariño Brut Sensum Laxas 2016

A rare sparkling Albariño from Rías Baixas, the 2016 Sensum Laxas offers up billowy aromas of freshly milled flour, green apple, d’Anjou pear, and pea shoot. It’s medium-bodied with lively bubbles and piercing acidity that begins as lemon pith, gently fanning out across the palate as it dissolves into sea foam and mineral inflections. 12.5% […]

Santiago Ruiz Rías Baixas O Rosal 2016

Santiago Ruiz Rías Baixas O Rosal 2016

A glinting pale yellow blend of 76% Albariño, 11% Loureiro, 5% Godello, 4% Treixadura, and 4% Caiño Blanco, the 2017 Santiago Ruiz Albariño opens with aromas of lemon drop, white peach, Opal apple, white flowers, lemon verbena, and a lilting touch of spice. Very fresh, with taut acidity, pear skin, mineral verve and plenty of […]

Isaac Fernandez Mencía Ribeira Sacra Adrás 2015

Isaac Fernandez Mencía Ribeira Sacra Adrás 2015

Magenta in the glass with a clear meniscus, the 2015 Isaac Fernandez Adrás Mencia beckons with aromas of bing cherry, plum, vanilla, and cinnamon bark. It’s medium-bodied on the palate, with plentiful and chewy tannins that create a base layer to a vibrant acid backbone and spice-laden finish. A lovely food wine from a Spanish […]

Familiar Eladio Piñeiro Envidia Cochina 2013

Familiar Eladio Piñeiro Envidia Cochina 2013

Aside from the curious albeit intriguing story about the “Poisonous Worm of Envy” that graces the front label (is a reference to poison on a beverage label ever a good thing?), the 2013 Eladio Piñeiro Envidia Cochina is a plunge into a world of grassy olive oil, fresh herbs, saline and brine, interlaced with lemon […]

CHRISTINE HAVENS
McMinnville, OR

christine@christine-havens.com