Zárate El Palomar 2024

Zárate has grown Albariño in Rías Baixas since the early eighteenth century, making it one of the region's historic wineries. El Palomar is a single variety Albariño from one of the oldest documented estates in Rías Baixas, planted with vines around 150 years old. The soil is very shallow granite, and the roots push down into the fractured rock in search of nutrients, which is where the wine's marked mineral character comes from. The Atlantic climate here is cool and wet, giving the fruit high natural acidity. What sets this apart from a standard Albariño is the cellar work: it is fermented and aged for ten months in foudres, large neutral casks that add no oak flavour but allow slow contact with the fine lees. That lees ageing releases mannoproteins that broaden the mid palate and give a rounder, more textured feel while the granite keeps the wine driven and saline. The colour is bright straw with gold hints. The nose shows white peach, apricot and lemon over white flowers, with a waxy, faintly almond note from the lees. The palate is fuller than most Albariño, with saline minerality and a long finish. Serve at 10 to 12 degrees. It suits lobster, grilled fish and roast chicken.