Zárate, Albariño 2023

Bodegas Zárate is a small but brilliantly run winery established in 1920 by Ernesto Zárate, who was pivotal in promoting Albariño in Spain's Rías Baixas. Current winemaker, Eulogio Pomares, (Ernesto's grandson), studied in Bordeaux and Germany investigating parallels between Albariño and Riesling, and his knowledge of the Albariño grape is second to none. Albariño 2023 is Albariño as it should be. Minerality and balance in a bottle. Strongly mineral, balanced and very focused and tight, like a good Chablis. Hidden amongst the cool, steely character of the wine, notes of juicy peach and ripe apricot are present. Unlike some paler versions of Albariño, this wine should last well over the next two or three years.