Do Ferreiro - Albariño 2015

Do Ferreiro is a small family winery nestled in the historic heart of Spain’s coastal Rías Baixas region. Highly regarded for crafting Albariño, the winery has become a reference point for the grape. Do Ferreiro was founded in 1973 by Gerardo Mendez, though his wines remained unlabeled until his 1986 vintage. Gerardo, along with his children Manuel and Encarna, farm over 175 tiny plots of Albariño by hand in the Salnès subzone of Rías Baixas. The family owns ten hectares of organically grown vines, three of which are over 50 years old, and one which is over 200 years old! The Salnès Valley enjoys an ideal climate: close proximity to the Atlantic, natural protection by the surrounding mountain ranges and almost magical, decomposed granitic soil. These factors have helped Salnès gain the reputation for being the ideal zone in Rías Baixas for growing profound Albariño.

Do Ferreiro’s 2015 Albariño is sourced from family vines that are 15-50 years old from various plots in Salnés. All grapes were destemmed and fermented with native yeasts in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks. Brilliant mid-gold in the glass, this Albariño is dazzlingly aromatic offering a mélange of honeyed tropical and tree fruits misted with sea spray. Complex and layered, the palate unfolds with flavors of Golden Delicious apple, lemon-zested pineapple and just-ripe apricot. Sublimely concentrated on the mid-palate, the 2015’s fruits are infused with an invigorating acidity that crescendos toward a saline-laced finish that deftly exhibits phenomenal depth and length. Mind-blowingly delicious, Do Ferreiro’s 2015 Albariño will be spectacular tonight or any night over the next 5+ years.