Albariño

Albariño de Fefiñanes “1583″ 2005

Now this is something a little bit left of centre.  Even the name 1853 is a bit odd.  You'd think it was the date of the establishment of the vineyard or the date of some great happening in Spain, but its actually the birth year of the guy who built the Palacios de Fefiñanes. 

Redardless of all that, the wine is very complex with just about all of the things I like about good Albariño but there is also an oxidative aspect to it.   What makes this wine a bit different is that this wine sees 5 months in French and American oak, a fairly new thing in the world of Albarino.  I'm not sure if I prefer the wood treatment or not yet, I might get another bottle of this with the 2006 standard wine in a couple of weeks to compare.

Light straw in colour with a slight green tint.  Shows aromas of white peach, hints of white pepper with pear and honey suckle.  Not as tight and precise as the standard wine. I'd say broad in the mouth, but thats not quite right, perhaps mouth filling.  But balanced with a good shot of acid right where its needed.  Complex on the palate with white peach, pear, minerals, lemon and some salty capers on the long finish.  91 Pts

Source: Toro/Woods wines Price: Around $50 Closure: Conventional Cork

Web: www.fefinanes.com