What makes this wine unique?

The sole mission of this wine is to save the Albarello grape variety from extinction. The wine is made from estate-owned grapes grown using organic viticulture. Only one barrel is produced. The Albarello grape is the oldest indigenous grape variety of Galicia.

Rating history:

Grape:

100% Albarello (also called Brancellao). Albarello is believed to be the oldest indigenous variety of Galicia and is nearly extinct. In 1850, incidents of oidium dramatically reduced the number of vines and near the end of the 19th Century, the phylloxera louse did further damage. Albarello is an intensely aromatic variety that needs time, or a process of slow oxidation, to express itself fully. A medium growth-cycle grape, it has good acidity and silky tannins. The vines are trained on trellis in the double cordon system. The grapes are certified organic by CRAEGA, the Consejo Regulador de Agricultura Ecológica de Galicia.

Pairing Suggestions:

Braised pork shoulder in wild mushroom sauce, osso bucco, ox tail soup and aged, hard cheeses would all pair well with this wine’s distinctive aromatic and dark fruit profile.

Vinification and ageing:

There is a long maceration with 50% whole clusters before and after fermentation using the indigenous yeasts of the grapes. There is lees contact during malolactic fermentation in 300-liter barrels before the wine is aged for 14 months in French oak barrels, two years old. It is aged an additional 6 months in stainless steel tank to achieve a natural stabilization.

Production:

1 300-liter barrel or 66 6-pack cases.

Location, Soil, Climate:

The vineyards are located in Zone 1, towards the interior of Galicia, by the Portuguese border. The Monterrei DO region is divided in two sections from north to south by the Tamega River situated at 420 meters elevation. The grapes that go into making this wine come from the Tamaguelos district, at 390-460 meters (1,280-1,509 feet) elevation. The soils are granite and sandy clay, which contribute minerality, depth and volume in aromas and palate flavors. The climate is Atlantic (cold and wet) with a Continental influence (in general, extremely hot and dry summers with cold, dry winters). Monterrei is one of the DO regions within Galicia that is furthest from the Atlantic Ocean with yearly rainfall below average compared to other regions in Galicia. In sum, Monterrei has a drier, warmer climate than western Galicia. Here, the average yearly rainfall is 23 inches; closer to the water in Rias Baixas, the average is 93 inches.

Tasting notes:

Albarello (100% Albarello aka Brancellao) is produced from a grape that is nearly extinct, wiped out beginning in the 1850s from oidium and subsequently by phylloxera. These vines are 9 years old and only 33 cases were produced. It presents a unique aromatic array (it was always regarded as an intensely aromatic variety) with a roasted, plum compote character. Sweetly fruited and seamless on the palate, this is a concentrated, elegant offering with no hard edges.

Alcohol Content:

13.5%

UPC Code:

NO UPC CODE