This is our first ever Albariño offer. We might be late to the party, but only fashionably – despite being en vogue among gourmands and industry folks, this classic Spanish varietal is still yet to reach mainstream popularity in the States.
It’s a tricky grape, but in the right climate (and under the proper guidance, of course) it can transform into one of the most refreshing, aromatic expressions of any white wine varietal. On this side of the pond, there are few places better suited to grow Albariño than Paso Robles, home to a coastal maritime influence similar to the grape’s ancestral Spanish birthplace in the heart of the Salnés Valley.
Lot 445 comes to us from a family-owned estate with a state-of-the-art winemaking facility and a bright future under the guidance of second generation vintners. Like our other recent offerings, this score was also made possible due to a winery having a surplus from the bountiful 2023 harvest in California. We’re happy to keep riding this wave.
This is a wine club-only offering from our source, where it fetches $35/bottle, $420/case before shipping charges.
Our offer: $18/bottle.
Paso has the most extreme diurnal swing of any wine region in California. Hot days full of radiant sun are balanced by cold nights and morning fog. The rains don’t come until November, ensuring a long growing season that allows growers to wait for the fruit to reach perfect phenolic ripeness before harvesting.
Our source’s veteran winemaker spent decades in the vineyard before making the jump to the cellar. As a result, their winemaking philosophy is deeply rooted in showcasing terroir, and it’s on full display here. Lot 445 was hand-picked early in the morning and immediately whole-cluster pressed, followed by cold fermentation with native yeasts in stainless steel tanks to preserve the varietal’s distinct vibrancy. Following fermentation, the wine rested sur lie for 3 months to amplify its complexity, and weighs in at a refreshing 13.4% alc.
Deep straw on the pour, the nose is very expressive with immediate banana, pear, and honeysuckle aromatics accented by citrus fruit and peaches. On the palate this wine is expertly balanced and medium-bodied, with melon, additional honeysuckle, and lemon distributed over a creamy texture framed by vibrant acidity and that signature saline quality that defines Albariño. The finish is clean, flaunting excellent quaffability.
13.4% alc.
