2020-C Nai e Senora Albarino, Rías Baixas DO, Spain (750ml)
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A Monthly Wine Club Selection
Adegas Terra de Asorei is an association of six winemaking families that have banded together with the intention to produce premium, charismatic, 100% Albariño wines. The team, which joined forces at the beginning of the 21st century, operates a state of the art winery in the Salnés Valley in Rías Baixas in the verdant northwestern region of Galicia, Spain.
They farm 172 acres of vines which range in age from 20 to 80 years old and benefit from a maritime climate that combines temperate sea breezes from the Atlantic to the west and just the right amount of rainfall. Only three wines are produced by the estate: Terra de Asorei, Pazo Torrado and Nai e Señora, and each is crafted in a unique manner, offering a distinct expression of Albariño. ‘Nai e Señora’ translates to ‘Mother and Lady’ in Galician and is a nod to the expression used by poets in the early 20th century which paid homage to working women who allowed for the independence of the family unit and Galician society. Made of 100% Albariño, this bottling is the freshest and most minimally produced of the estate’s three wines and is fermented in stainless steel tank for just 21 days. Evoking the fertile landscape from which it comes, aromas of green herbs and green bell pepper leap out of the glass followed by an almost tropical bouquet of lychee, underripe pineapple and green melon. The light to medium-bodied palate showcases a piercing minerality which is balanced by a zesty and focused acidity. More green notes appear throughout the mid-palate including a subtle grassiness and fresh basil, while the zippy finish offers a cleansing note of sweet lemon. Although this is light enough to enjoy on its own, it would be an ideal partner with anything of the sea and especially steamed shellfish!