Raimat Viña 24 Albariño 2009

Raimat Viña 24 Albariño 2009

Origin: Costers del Segre, Spain
Blend: Albariño (100%)
Alcohol Content: 11.5%
Bottle Closure: Natural Cork
Purchase Date: November 2011
Purchase Price: $9.99 (750ml bottle)

Our review: A bright lemon yellow in color with hints of gold, this wine has aromas of tropical fruit and flowers and notes of spice. The palate is quite citrusy and pleasingly tart, with a significant mineral character introduced into the moderately long finish.

Our rating: There is a lot of complexity to this wine, one of its strongest points. Though we had never tasted it before, we chose it as one of several to serve with appetizers at an informal gathering of friends and neighbors. (We like to serve varietals that others may not be familiar with.) It was probably our most popular wine, though we thought it merely Average. Our relatively high initial impression diminished a bit when the refreshing citrus flavor seemed to develop a more rind-like (or zest-like) character into the second and third glass. Still, our guests seemed to enjoy it quite a bit so there is that.

Taste profile from the winemaker: Colour: Pale yellow with greenish hues. Nose: Intense aromas of citrus, dried flowers and spices with an additional hint of sweet vanilla and dried fruit. Mouthfeel: Pleasant initial impression, that brings out the full complexity of aromas present on the nose. Agreeable on the mid-palate due to its well-rounded nature. The aftertaste is persistent with a citrussy finish.

Winery website: Raimat. The world of wines..

Martín Códax Albariño 2009

Martín Códax Albariño 2009

Origin: Rias Baixax, Spain
Blend: Albariño (100%)
Alcohol Content: 12.5%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: August 2011
Purchase Price: $5.99 (750ml bottle)

Our review: A medium gold in color, this wine has aromas of mixed tropical fruits with significant notes of spice. Of moderate body on the palate, the fruit flavors tend towards tree fruit (apple, pear) though there is some tropical fruit (pineapple, guava) present as well. The finish brings out the spice a bit, reminiscent of cider.

Our rating: This wine has a lot of character to it. While one will be tempted to serve it with a meal — and we're thinking a poultry dish is best — it can also be enjoyed as is, just relaxing and enjoying the late summer breezes. Indeed, our bottle was nearly gone by the time the chicken breasts came off the grill. Rich and smooth, we rate this wine Above Average, Nearly Excellent. We previously rated the 2006 vintage similarly. (A quick note about the price paid: this wine was in a "marked down" section, and is almost certainly not what you would pay for it. Indeed, Wine.com currently lists it for $16.99. We wish now we had cleared the vendor where we purchased our bottle of their remaining supply.)

Taste profile from the winemaker: This refreshing food friendly white wine is crisp, elegant and dry and has aromas and flavors of pear, passion fruit and apple with bright acidity.

Martín Códax Albariño 2009 may be available to purchase from Wine.com.

Winery website: Martín Códax.

Salvenal Albariño 2009

Salvenal Albariño 2009
Origin: Rias Baixas, Spain
Blend: Albarino (100%)
Alcohol Content: 12.5%
Bottle Closure: Natural Cork
Purchase Date: February 2011
Purchase Price: $9.99

Our review: Medium gold with green reflections, this wine has aromas of tropical fruit and honey with hints of spiced cider. Very smooth and fruitful on the palate, the blend of flavors tends more towards tree fruit (apple/pear) with a light floral component. The finish is clean though undistinguished and relatively brief.

Our rating: We served this wine with sauteed chicken breasts and fresh asparagus, a nice pairing. Indeed, though we sampled the wine before eating, the food seemed to bring out more of the subtle characteristics of the wine, improving it overall. If you are unfamiliar with this varietal, this would be a good choice for your first bottle. We rate it Above Average, a rating we also gave to an older vintage, the Salvenal Albariño 2007.

Note: This wine isn't mentioned on the website provided on the bottle, though another Albariño is, one which we reviewed some time ago (and would like to try again), the Condes de Albarei Albariño 2006.

No taste profile from the winemaker found.

Winery website: Condes de Albarei.

Benito Santos Terra de Cálago Albariño 2008

Benito Santos Terra de Cálago Albariño 2008
Origin: Rias Baixas, Spain
Blend: Albarino (100%)
Alcohol Content: 12.5%
Bottle Closure: Natural Cork
Purchase Date: February 2011
Purchase Price: $9.99

Our review: Yellow-gold in color, this wine has aromas of ripe tree fruit with significant floral and spice notes. The initial sensation on the palate is one of sweetness, followed almost immediately by a tart green apple flavor. The finish is long, and reminiscent of spiced cider.

Our rating: We weren't impressed with this wine, which reminded us strongly of apple or pear cider. Which would have been fine, except the fruit flavors on the palate were weak and not harmonious -- or maybe they simply weren't well developed. Oak cellaring -- we're guessing that's where the spiciness comes from -- failed to soften the rough edges of this wine, giving it a somewhat medicinal character instead. We served our bottle with roasted chicken and potatoes, which we think is a good pairing. But in the end, we rate it Below Average, and not a good (in our opinion) example of this varietal. (Note: The bottle label depicted is slightly different from the one we reviewed.)

Taste profile from the winemaker: "Is yellow and intense aromas on the nose with citrus, floral, mineral and ripe apple notes. The palate is sweet, tasty, with a touch of acid and with possibility to accompany any kind of food."

Winery website: Terra de Calago.

Verdemar Albarino 2008

Verdemar Albarino 2008
Origin: Rias Baixas, Spain
Blend: Albarino (100%)
Alcohol Content: 12.0%
Bottle Closure: Screw Cap
Purchase Date: January 2010
Purchase Price: $9.99

Our review: This wine has a very pleasing bouquet of tropical fruit -- pineapple, papaya -- with fresh vegetal notes (bell pepper). Very fruitful on the palate, the is a good balance between the fruit flavors and acidity. The finish is complex and of moderate length.

Our rating: This is a very nice example of this varietal, not often seen in the US and certainly not at this price point. Quite versatile for pairing, we think it may work best with grilled fish and vegetables. Surprise your guests with this wine at your next dinner party; we rate it just shy of Excellent.

No taste profile from the winemaker found.

Winery website: None found.

Salneval Albarino 2007

Salneval Albarino 2007
Origin: Rias Baixas, Spain
Blend: Albariño (100%)
Alcohol Content: 12.5%
Bottle Closure: Natural Cork
Purchase Date: March 2009
Purchase price: $9.99

Our review: Medium gold in color, this wine has pleasing aromas of tropical fruit and orange blossom. The fruit flavors, most notably orange, are vibrant on the palate and nicely balanced. The finish is slightly disappointing; there is some depth and complexity but it's brevity doesn't allow for full development.

Our rating: We enjoyed this wine with broiled chicken over lightly sauteed pasta. It would also work well alone or with an appetizer platter. We rate it Above Average.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "Light straw in color, the nose of this Albariño is seductive with honey, pear and tropical fruit and a slight mineral component. It is racy and zesty with citrus and floral flavors in the mouth, yet is round and soft at the same time."

Salneval Albarino 2007 is available to purchase from Wine.com.

Winery website: Condes de Albarei. Note: As of the date of this review, this wine is not mentioned on the winery website. The taste profile was taken from the distributor's description.

Burgans Albarino 2007

Wine: Burgans Albarino 2007
Origin: Rias Baixas, Spain
Blend: 100% Albarino
Alcohol content: 12.5%
Bottle closure: Synthetic Cork
Purchase Date: December 2008
Purchase Price: $10.99

Taste profile from the winemaker: "Appearance: Has an attractive straw-greenish yellow colour, with ripe lemon nuances. Bright and slightly sparkling. Aroma: Stands out for its special intensity and elegance, its aroma reminiscent of damp, dewy fresh herbs with a perfume of semi-ripe apples. Palate: A fine sparkling sensation on the palate, with a complexity of tastes denoting the freshness of vegetation in the valley and the essence of the variety. Persistent, full-bodied and tasty ... a classic."

ABC Wines review: Deliciously fragrant, this wine has a bouquet of fresh tropical fruit with notes of honey. Richly fruitful on the palate with a barely noticeable effervescence, the flavors develop nicely into a round, balanced, slightly off-dry finish. Serve this wine with fresh grilled fish or chicken. Our score: A most enjoyable wine. Above Average, nearly Excellent.

Winery website: European Cellars.

Martin Codax Albarino 2006

Wine: Martin Codax Albarino 2006
Origin: Rias Baixas, Galicia, Spain
Blend: 100% Albarino
Alcohol content: 13.0%
Bottle closure: Synthetic Cork
Purchase Date: July 2008
Purchase Price: $11.99

Taste profile from the winemaker: "Appearance: Showcasing a pale yellowish color with touches of bright gold. The wine is aromatic with hints of fresh herbs, peach and apple. Palate: Rich, dry and crisp; the wine is complex and full-bodied with flavors of ripe apples, peach, apricot, melon, grapefruit and lemon zest melded together with a bright minerality."

ABC Wines review: A very pleasant blend of tropical fruit aromas (pineapple and melon) with very light tree fruit blossom notes is exhibited by this wine. On the palate it is smooth, flavorful, and full-bodied. A touch of mineral character is added into the finish which, as the only relatively disappointing aspect of this wine, is rather flat and short. Enjoy (as we did) with sauteed chicken tenders and fresh vegetables. Our score: Albarinos are rapidly becoming a varietal we look for while shopping. This one is Above Average, nearly Excellent.

Winery website: Martin Codax

Condes de Albarei Albarino 2006

Condes de Albarei Albarino 2006
Origin: Salnes Valley, Spain
Blend: 100% Albarino
Alcohol content: 12.5%
Bottle closure: Natural cork
Purchase date: February 2008
Purchase price: $12.99

Taste profile from the winemaker: "A lovely, straw-colored white wine with a good fruity nose and floral hints. On the palate, beautiful citrus fruit flavors emerge. It is a gentle, fresh, harmonious wine with a good and lingering finish."

ABC Wines review: This albarino possesses a fresh, citrus fragrance with just a hint of apple blossoms. Initially quite crisp, the citrus flavors are balanced by a mineral acidity. The finish is quite long, tart and dry. A very nice wine, indeed. Pair with grilled chicken or fish. Rated 90 points by Wine Enthusiast and designated a best buy (11/2007). Our score: Above Average to Excellent.

Winery website: Condes de Albarei Winery.