La Val Rías Baixas Albariño 2014
Bodegas La Val was established in 1985 and was one of the first wineries in Rias Baixas. Unusual for the area, La Val only uses its own estate grown grapes rather than buying them from local growers. They own 150 acres of Albariño most of which are located in the Condado do Tea sub-region. The particular micro-climate of their main holding in Condado do Tea allows them to be the first winery to open the harvest, which is typically in the first half of September. Jose Maria Ureta is the current winemaker and he is extremely well respected in the D.O. and considered to be one of the young up-and-comers. As a winery concerned with quality first and foremost, the new vintages of their Albariños tend to release in May/June of the year following harvest. Because great Albariño grapes are very high in acid they tend to taste very “bitter” young. Producers that do harsh filtering, fining or sell slightly sweet styles do not worry about this and rush to market early. Quality minded producers like La Val let the new wine rest a bit longer in tank so that the harshest aspects of the wines’ acidity has softened.
Pale straw with green edges and aromas of citrus, white flesh fruit, herbs and wet stone. On the palate pear, melon, lemon zest and Asian spice. The wine has a good bit of chalky minerality, vivid acidity and gentle spice. The finish lingers nicely leaving with lemony notes. Nice value!
Cheers!