2019 Zárate Espadeiro Albariño Rías Baixas El Palomar
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Tasting notes
Like all the vintages, the 2019 El Palomar comes from 0.36 hectares of ungrafted centenary Albariño vines on shallow granite soils that deliver low yields (44 hectoliters per hectare as an average). The destemmed grapes go through a long and soft pressing that also delivered a low yield. The must fermented in a 2,200-liter oak vat, where it matured and went through malolactic fermentation. It's a little more balsamic and medicinal, spicy with a touch of nutmeg and clove, with a round palate and some fine tannins. It's textured and has pungent flavors and a long, tasty finish. 2,900 bottles were produced. It was bottled in August 2020.
Critic scores
Luis Gutiérrez, Wine Advocate
Josh Raynolds
More reviews and scores
Limpid, green-tinged yellow. Bright and incisive on the nose, displaying intense citrus and orchard fruit aromas complemented by suggestions of jasmine, iodine and sweet butter. Sappy, penetrating and seamless on the palate, offering sappy pear nectar, peach, tangerine and honeysuckle flavors that deepen through the back half, with no loss of energy. Closes with repeating pear and floral notes and a lingering suggestion of dusty minerality. Raised in a 2,220-liter neutral oak cask, with full malo.