Don Olegario 2012 & 2013 Riax Baixas Albariño
I recently tasted both the 2012 and 2103 vintages of Don Olegario Albariño. The Falcon brothers currently manage Bodegas Don Olegario, however the tradition and passion for wine was inherited from their grandfather Adolph Falcon, who since 1950 was dedicated to the marketing of wine locally. Olegario, the Falcon brothers father, established himself as winemaker in 1980, bought the vineyard and began making Albariño wine under the name of Don Olegario, and in 1988 joined Dorian Baixas. Today, the third generation of Falcon brothers are committed to maintain the same style and quality of wine produced by their father.
Rias Baixas is a DO wine zone in the Galicia region of north-western Spain, located along the Atlantic coastline. It produces some of the country’s most acclaimed dry white wines, mostly from the Albariño grape variety. The name Rías Baixas means ‘low rias’ and was chosen because of the coastal inlets (‘rias’) which characterize the landscape here. Although a comparatively young DO (established in 1988), Rias Baixas has rapidly grown in stature thanks to the efforts of its various enterprising producers, who have adopted modern winemaking techniques to showcase the region’s signature grape variety, Albariño.
Opening a bottle of the 2012 vintage, I noticed a clear pale straw color that lightens up around the edges. Aromas of fresh green fruit, apple & pear, slightly citrus, crisp and clean, slightly acidic but good balance. Now, opening a bottle of the 2013, I noticed the fruit aromas were a little more pronounced, fresh green fruit but with more tropical, melon, peach and citrus coming forth and transferring to the palate. Good balance with a clean savory character that can accompany a rich meal such as salmon or pork. These Don Olegario Albariño’s are a great “go to wines” that are pleasant to drink and pair well with food. Grab a few bottles for around $16 and try them!
Cheers!