2023 Zarate Albarino

93+ pts Wine Advocate

The 2023 Zarate is the flagship Albariño that shows the character of the year, with more moderate ripeness, 12.5% alcohol and a balanced and elegant profile. It's clean, floral and still a little reductive (this is 100% stainless steel) and should open up with a little more time in bottle. There is some 30% of wine with malolactic in the final blend. It has less concentration and alcohol than the 2022, with more finesse and freshness and is a little more herbal. This is a superb example of Albariño from Salnés.

For those not initiated, today's wine is their intro wine and is known as the best baseline Albarino on the market. A few of these make every set of summer wines for the table complete, and that price at darn near $20 a bottle is a steal. Their wines are always amongst the most linear, acid forward, and structured of Albariños, and their appellation bottling is the perfect place to start!