Bodegas Albamar, Albariño, Rías Baixas, Spain 2021

The name Albamar combines the name of the winemaking family—Alba—with ‘mar’: the sea that has such an important influence on the climate and soil of the vineyards they farm. After harvest, the grapes are fermented whole-cluster with indigenous yeasts, remain unfined, and do not undergo malolactic fermentation. This cuvée sits on its lees for 5 months in steel vats; the lees aging lends a creamy roundness that balances perfectly the salt-spray acidity indicative of the region and the grape. Intense expressions of lemon, lime, tart melon, and green pineapple fruit driven by riveting acidity and complex suggestions of tarragon, bay leaf, and white pepper.