Tinto y Blanco » Albarino Blend

Valminor Davila 2006

Dave Worthington — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 22:50:50 +0000

I thought I had cleared out all of the Albarino based wines in the tasting pile, but found this when I was looking for something to take to a Vietnamese joint down in Victoria Street, Richmond. Albarino really handles the spice and salt of many Asian style dishes really well, but its the seafood where it really struts its stuff. This blend of albarino, loureiro and treixadura works really well with fish dishes, especially fish with a sauce. Check out the 2004 write up for more details on the wine.

The nose opens with some excellent fruit: lemons, apples , pears and a touch of white peach. Impeccable balance and mouthfeel, its focused and driving on the palate with long finish that shows a touch of pepper, flint and lime. The palate is all apples, pears and lemons with some white pepper and kaffir lime leaves. This was magic with a whole steamed snapper with soy and ginger. 92 Pts.

Source: The Spanish Acquisition Price: $45 Closure: Conventional Cork

Web: www.adegasvalminor.com

Other Vintages: 2004

Santiago Ruiz Blanco 2004

Dave Worthington — Tue, 01 Aug 2006 22:38:16 +0000

Here is another blend from Rias Brixas, this time a mix of 70% albarino, 20 loureiro and 10% treixadura. Funky packaging seems to be important to the people of this region, the label on the front of this bottle is a copy of a hand drawn map of how to get to the owner's daughter wedding.

This is the most expensive white wine from Spain I have had, transport, taxes etc put it into the $50 level. You can get some great wines, red or white, for $50…no wonder I had to order it in.

Citrus, peach flowers and herbs on the nose. Very serious in the mouth, oily and textured with a good acid level. Flavours of lemons, apple, minerals, fennel seeds and bay leaf. The finish is very long with a citrus and bay leaf tang. This shows what these blends from Rias Brixas can do, value for money in Australia is an issue however. 91 Pts.

Source: Boccaccio Cellars Price: Around $50 Closure: Conventional Cork

Web: www.bodegasantiagoruiz.com

Valminor Davila 2004

Dave Worthington — Mon, 31 Jul 2006 12:15:07 +0000

I've been looking for some new white wines from Spain, so I ordered this in. It's Valminor's upscale wine from Rias Brixas, made from 55% Albarino and two other local grape varitaties, loureiro (30%) and treixadura (15%). I'd never heard of them either, but this blend makes for a very interesting wine.

The packaging is quite good too, it describes the relationship between the elements that go into the making of the wine. Quite well done.

Very different on the nose, apples, apricots, and cucumber with a bit of fennel seed. There is a bit of a spritzy feeling in the mouth, citrus, white peach and minerals with some white pepper. Its quite powerful with noticeable acid and a persistent finish. An interesting wine, perhaps it needs a few years to show its best? 89 Pts.

Source: Boccaccio Cellars Price: Around $40 Closure: Conventional Cork

Web: www.adegasvalminor.com