Pazo Barrantes La Comtesse de Pazo Barrantes
Rías Baixas, Spain
Vintage:2017 (Past)
2016 (Past) | 2018 (Past) | 2019 (Current)
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Reviews
The Wine Advocate 95 Points
“This is a very harmonious Albariño that has varietal character and is impressive and young, without the creamy character of some previous vintages. It's vibrant and has a citrus touch on the palate that reflects a very fresh wine, but at the same time, it's polished and has a soft texture.”
Wine Spectator 91 Points
“Orange blossom, lychee, papaya and lime oil notes are encased in a silky, supple texture in this medium-bodied white, which is engaging and aromatic, with spice notes echoing on the finish. Drink now through 2024.”
JamesSuckling.com 93 Points
“A perfumed nose of white peaches, lemon curd, apples, jasmine, green olives and sea breeze. It’s medium-bodied with bright, tangy acidity. So flavorful and fruity with a mineral, salty edge. Some spiciness, too. Long. Drink now.”
Vinous Media 94 Points
“Shimmering, green-tinged straw. Incisive, mineral-accented citrus, orchard and pit fruits on the assertively perfumed nose, along with hints of white flowers, sea salt and buttered toast. Lush and creamy in texture but sharply focused as well, offering densely packed, mineral-driven pear, Meyer lemon and nectarine flavors and a bracing touch of bitter quinine. Firms up on the finely detailed, impressively long and sharply etched finish, which emphatically repeats the citrus and mineral notes.”
Overview
Pazo de Barrantes, a wine that captures the subtle flavor and freshness of albariño, comes from one the largest single estates in Salnés Valley, Rías Baixas D.O. of Galicia, Spain. The wine’s true albariño character is a direct reflection of the Creixell family’s core values of quality and estate-owned vineyards, paired with a modern winemaking approach and the latest technology.
The grapes used to elaborate the wine are sourced from Pago Cacheiro, a 3.7-acre single-vineyard on the Pazo de Barrantes estate. The shallow soils of the estate are granitic with sand on the surface and the average age of the vineyard is 30 years. The vines are trained high on supporting wires in the ‘parral’ trellis system (also known as Parron), as is the local tradition, to guard against mildew and rot, and to assist ripening.
Winemaking
Hand-picked in 20kg crates, the albariño bunches are then destemmed before pressing to avoid any herb flavors. The grapes are pressed slowly and gently to respect and extract the intense aromatic potential that these old vine grapes provide. The must is decanted by flotation to ensure greater aromatic purity and then fermented at 50ºF in 3,000-liter French oak vats for approximately 60 days.
Once the juice is settled, fermentation takes place in a temperature-controlled (50ºF) 3,000-liter French Allier oak vat for 60 days. In an effort to gain more volume on the palate and a balanced mouth-feel, the wine is left in contact with its fine lees for six months. La Comtesse remains in this same wooden vat for 12 months, followed by 13 months in concrete tanks.
Tasting Notes
The amazing aromatic range of La Comtesse 2017 shows notes of ripe nectarine, quince fruit, hints of thyme, dill and fennel on top of its characteristic eucalyptus base. Full-bodied, savoury, structured, rich, creamy and a fresh yet persistent finish.
Food Pairing
La Comtesse allows for bolder pairings with different textures and flavors. Seared crayfish with fresh pasta and vegetables; grilled lobster with mayonnaise; steamed prawns with mustard and truffle oil; warm shrimp salad with honey mustard and green apples. The recommended serving temperature is 55ºF to 57ºF, allowing the flavors and complexity to show at their best.
Technical Information
Varietals: 100% Albariño
Wine Alcohol: 13.5%
Bottling Date: April 2020
Cases Produced: 8,560 bottles