Estate bottled Albariño is seldom found in a region known more for coöperatives but the estate of Adegas d'Altamira is far from ordinary and their Albariño is widely regarded as head and shoulders above any other.  Here in Spain's northwestern wine region Rias Baixas (pronounced Ree-ass By-shass), Albariño is the grape variety behind some of the world's most refreshing and subtly scented white wines.  This "Branco Albarino D'Altamira" or Brandal, comes from select Albarino grapes, the smallest white grapes in the world, grown on small parcels of land in the southern part of Pontevedra province. All processes, from vineyard to winery, are focused to extract the maximum quality of this highly concentrated grape. The grapes are hand-harvested and handsorted, then destemmed and undergo 12 hours of prefermentation skin maceration. Unlike other Rias Baixas wines, Adegas D'Altamira does not undergo malolactic fermentation. Therefore, the wine keeps its acidity, yet is balanced by the concentrated fruit for a complex, sophisticated white wine with great mouthfeel and better ageing potential.   Serve Brandal chilled on its own, or as a great accompaniment to any kind of shellfish, light seafood, pates or semi-soft cheeses.
 

 

Tasting notes:

 

The 2007 Brandal has a pale yellow color with green hues. It gives off a varied and intense aroma of citrus fruits (lemon, grapefruit), combined with sweeter notes of peach and white flowers in the end. Nice acidity in the mouth with flourishes of citrus and delicate, bitter balsamic hints.
 
Pear, grapefruit and an herbal note mingle in this medium-bodied white. It's balanced and straightforward. Drink now.-TM, Wine Spectator
 
The medium straw-colored 2007 Albarino Brandal has an alluring perfume of citrus and lemon zest. On the palate it delivers vibrant acidity, good depth, and excellent balance. Jay Miller, Wine Advocate