Do Ferreiro Cepas Vellas 2024

Gerardo Méndez founded Do Ferreiro in 1975 and helped create the Rías Baixas denomination. Cepas Vellas is his old-vine Albariño, drawn from very old plots in the highest part of the region, some vines around 200 years old, worked as limited, small-scale production. The Atlantic setting brings cool, wet conditions and coastal breezes, giving slow ripening and high natural acidity, while the granite soils and old, deep-rooted vines add concentration and a saline minerality that younger vines rarely reach. The wine is aged for eleven months on its lees in stainless steel, with no oak; keeping the wine on its fine lees builds body, a subtle waxy texture and savoury depth through the slow release of mannoproteins, while the steel preserves the purity and freshness of the fruit. The colour is pale gold with a green cast. The nose is deep and precise, with lemon, white peach and green apple over beeswax and a briny minerality. The palate is dry and textured, concentrated old-vine fruit carried by firm acidity and a long, saline finish. Serve at 9 to 11 degrees in a white wine glass. It suits shellfish, richer fish and hard cheeses.