Albarino 2007


By Robert Parker
2007 Finca de Arantei Albarino Single Vineyard
A Albarino Dry White Table wine from Rias Baixas, Galicia, Spain  
Review by Jay Miller
Wine Advocate # 181 (Feb 2009)
Rating: 90
Drink -
Cost: $20  

White values under $25. Recommended and tasted, but no tasting note given.

The DO of Rias Baixas lies on Galicia's deeply indented west coast, off of the Atlantic Ocean, just north of the Portuguese border - a land of harsh weather, great fishing, and the Albarino grape. While the vast majority of the wines from this district are produced from a mix of locations by cooperative wineries, many of which are blends of a variety of grapes, Finca de Arantei is a single estate, 100% Albarino wine. The winery occupies 87.5 acres of rocky and sandy soil in the sub-zone of Condado de Tea, the heart of the Mino Valley, which gets some of the most ample sunshine in the DO.

By winebow.com
Finca de Arantei
Albarino Single Vineyard 2007

Wine Description:
While the vast majority of the wines from this district are produced from a mix of locations by cooperative wineries, many of which are blends of a variety of grapes, Finca de Arantei is a single estate, 100% Albariño wine. The winery occupies 87.5 acres of rocky and sandy soil in the subzone of Condado de Tea, the heart of the Miño Valley, which gets some of the most ample sunshine in the DO.

Tasting Notes:
Pale straw in color with distinct floral and mineral aromas, characteristic of the Albariño grape. On the palate, the flavors are very rich, showing green apple and citrus as well as some tropical fruits. Lively on the tounge, complex in flavor and long on the finish with a good balance between acidity and fruit. Goes well with grilled fish, any kind of seafood, rice dishes, salads and vegetables.

Vineyard Characteristics
Production area/name of vineyard: The Condado de Tea vineyard in the Miño Valley
Size of vineyard (acres): 87.5
Soil composition: pebbles and sand
Training method: Pergola
Elevation (feet): 1,300
Vines/acre: 87.5
Yield/acre (tons): 2.8
Exposure: Eastern/western
Year vineyard planted: 1985
Agronomist/Vineyard manager: Fernando Bandiera

Winemaking & Aging
Varietal composition: 100% Albariño
Harvest time: September
First vintage of this wine: 1990
Number bottles produced of this wine: 18,000

Fermentation
Fermentation container: Stainless steel tanks
Length of alcoholic fermentation (days): 12
Fermentation temperature (°F): 66
Malolactic fermentation: No

Aging
Aging container: Stainless steel tanks
Length of aging before bottling: 5 months
Length of bottle aging: 1 month

Analytical data
Alcohol: 12.5%
pH level: 3.3
Residual sugar (grams/liter): 2
Acidity (grams/liter): 7.1
Dry extract (grams/liter): 27

Producer Profile
Owned by: Jose Limeres
Winemaker: Jose Maria Ureta
Total acreage under vine: 87.5
Estate founded: 1985
Winery production total: 500,000
Region: Galicia DO Rías Baixas
Country: Spain