Leirana Finca Genoveva 2024

Forjas del Salnés is a small family winery run by Rodrigo Méndez, grandson of one of the founders of Rías Baixas, with the involvement of winemaker Raúl Pérez. Finca Genoveva is a single-vineyard Albariño from old vines over 150 years old, harvested and selected by hand. The Salnés valley lies close to the Atlantic, where cool, wet, breezy conditions give slow ripening and high natural acidity, and the granite soils with old, deep-rooted vines add concentration and a saline mineral cut. The wine is aged for twelve months in foudre, large old oak casks that let the wine settle on its lees and gain texture and a subtle waxy depth through slow oxygen exchange, without adding the obvious flavour of new, small barrels, so the fruit and minerality stay to the fore. The colour is bright yellow-gold. The nose is floral and ripe, with green apple, white peach and lemon over white flowers and a note of beeswax. The palate is textured and broad from its time in foudre, yet fresh and taut, its old-vine fruit carried by firm acidity and a long, saline finish. Serve at 10 to 12 degrees. It suits shellfish, richer fish and hard cheeses.