2019 Pazo de Barrantes Albariño La Comtesse
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The current vintage, 2019 Gran Vino De Guarda La Comtesse is fantastically balanced with tremendous acidity and creamy texture. Freshness is added by the bay leaf and minty, herbal character that persists throughout a well-integrated, cohesive, and focused core of refinement. Beautiful on release, it will continue to develop nicely another 10-15 years. Based in the heart of Rias Baixas, the owners decided to change their focus in 2019 to do more aging of their Albariños, entering into a whole new category. Using all estate fruit from a single vineyard around the property, they brought a Riojan Marques de Marietta philosophy to Galicia, believing that Albariño needs time.
Critic scores
Luis Gutiérrez, Wine Advocate
Joaquin Hidalgo, Vinous
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The top-of-the-range 2019 La Comtesse comes from a vineyard called Cacheiro, 1.4 hectares of their oldest vines (planted in 1965) that deliver lower yields and aim to showcase the aging potential of Albariño. The must fermented in 3,000-liter oak vats where the wine was kept for 12 months, the first three with the lees, and then it was kept in concrete for a further 12 months. It has a golden color and an intense nose but with subtle aromas and almost no trace of oak. 2019 was a warmer, very complete and balanced year of powerful wines with concentration, clout and very good balance and freshness. This has 13.5% alcohol, a pH of 3.25 and 7.3 grams of acidity. It has a round and creamy texture and is velvety and tender, sleek and elegant. 9,655 bottles and 400 magnums produced. It was bottled in April 2022.
The 2019 Albariño Gran Vino de Guarda La Comtesse hails from Pago Chacheiro, a single vineyard planted in 1965 in Salnes, Rías Baixas. Fermented in oak and aged in concrete vats, this yellow wine features aromas of hops, orange peel and quince, complemented by apricot, jasmine and a delicate hint of oxidized green apple. Dry, creamy and saline, it lingers with a vibrant and tasty medlar finish. This is a truly complex and savory white that showcases the pristine coastal character of the Rías Baixas.
The 2019 Gran Vino de Guarda La Comtesse is 100% Albariño from Pago Cacheiro, hailing from a 1.4-hectare vineyard within Finca Barrantes. Planted in 1965, this is only the tenth vintage. Aged for five years—one year in 3,000-liter oak casks, one in concrete and three in bottle—it opens with menthol and oak, alongside creamy notes. Broad and compact with elevated freshness, the 2019 offers a saline edge and layered complexity.