Lagar de Pintos Albariño

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Lagar de Pintos is 4th generation family estate, currently run by winemaker Marta Castro-Pintos. It is situated in the town of Ribadumia in Galicia, Spain. The family home and winery are in a traditional Galician ‘Pazo’, or manor house. Originally used as a farmstead where they kept sheep and cows, it wasn’t until the 1950's that their grandfather planted vines. Their father, Pepe Pintos, modernized the estate in the 1980's when the region started to embrace wine production following the revival of the Albariño grape variety. Marta converted all the vineyards to organic farming and has been a pioneer on this front in the Rías Baixas region. Four generations that share a single philosophy when it comes to understanding the winery and the work in the vineyards: respect and commitment to the land. Today, Lagar de Pintos is a modern, and efficient winery, in which each step of the production process is verified by strict selection and quality criteria, with the goal of constantly striving for excellence. The essence of Lagar de Pinto lies in its vineyards, according to Marta. They represent their identity. For that reason, their vineyards are treated with respect, always committed to maintaining the balance with the environment.

WHAT MAKES THIS WINE UNIQUE?

Marta Castro-Pintos produces this Albariño, their flagship wine, from vines located in the Val do Salnés town of Ribadumia - just a few miles from the unspoiled beaches of the Atlantic coast.

RATING HISTORY:

2018 90 WA; 2017 90 WA

GRAPE:

100% Albariño grown in granitic and sandy soils from the estate’s seven vineyards: Palomar, Cachada, Muiño, Ponte Arnelas, Aguieiros, Pontella and Albar in the Val do Salnés subregion of the Rías Baixas. DO. Vines are trellised in the traditional system Emparrado (pergola), which was invented by the Romans during the 2nd century to maximize air circulation allowing for a better, drier ripening season. The average vines' age is 40 years old. The vineyards are at an altitude between 2 - 7m (5 - 25 ft) above sea level.

PAIRING SUGGESTIONS:

This Albariño pairs well with grilled Padrón peppers, shrimp ceviche, fish tacos, oysters, clams, and Manchego cheese.

VINIFICATION AND AGING:

Every parcel is harvested and aged separately. Spontaneous fermentation with its own yeast. The wine is then aged on the lees for 8 months in stainless steel tanks and oak barrels (foudre) with weekly batonnage. The wines from the different parcels are assembled before bottling.

LOCATION, SOIL, CLIMATE:

Located in Spain's upper northwest corner, Rías Baixas is just above the border with Portugal. Rías Baixas means low estuaries, a reference to the area's many rivers that lead to the ocean. The landscape is low undulating hills, and the vineyard is planted on the slopes and on the flat valley floors. This area's climatic conditions give this wine an “Atlantic” character. Of the 5 subzones in Rías Baixas, Val do Salnés is the coolest due to the proximity of the Atlantic Ocean. Yearly rainfall is above 1,700 millimeters (66 inches), or what one would expect in one of the wettest regions in Spain. The area is quite foggy with an average temperature from April-October of 63.4F.

TASTING NOTES:

Pale yellow in color with golden reflections. On the nose the wine displays intense aromas with a wealth of nuances: anise, citrus and white stone fruit. In the palate it is powerful, flavorful, well balanced, and very fresh with a saline finish. Excellent texture from the lees aging.

ALCOHOL CONTENT:

12.5%

UPC CODE:

8427023001104