D.O. Rías Baixas, Spain - 100% Albariño from a single plot called Paraje Mina. Traditional winemaking with native yeasts in 1,000-liter casks. French oak for 5 months on the lees with several pumping over a week. Later it remains in stainless steel last 6 months. Bottled without filtering or clarifying where it remains for 3 months until it is released on the market. The 2024 is an extraordinary vintage, probably the best wine of the their porfolio this vintage. Recommended by The Sommelier.
NANCLARES & PRIETO PARAJE MINA 2024
Alberto Nanclares and Silvia Prieto have created one of the most respected and consistent projects in Rías Baixas, especially in the Salnés Valley, where they have been pioneers in reviving traditional viticulture based on respect for the soil and the environment. Nanclares, who began his career in the early 2000s after leaving the real estate sector, found in Albariño a means of expression linked to the Galician Atlantic landscape. With the addition of Silvia Prieto, the project took a further step towards precision, organic (certified) viticulture with practices close to biodynamics, avoiding herbicides and systemic products, and working with cover crops and minimal treatments.
Their philosophy is based on interpreting each plot as a distinct unit, moving away from the concept of a homogeneous Albariño and opting for single-vineyard wines that clearly reflect the terroir. In this context, Paraje Mina was born, a wine from a single plot located in the Sanxenxo area, very close to the sea, on granitic soils with a significant sandy influence. The proximity to the Atlantic profoundly shapes the vineyard's character, contributing salinity, freshness, and a slow ripening process that fosters aromatic complexity.
2024 Vintage: The 2024 harvest in Rías Baixas was marked by an Atlantic growing season, with abundant rainfall in winter and spring that required meticulous vineyard work to maintain the health of the grapes. The summer was mild, without extreme heat waves, allowing for slow and balanced ripening. September's conditions favored a staggered harvest, yielding grapes with good natural acidity, a defined aromatic profile, and moderate alcohol levels. Overall, a fresh, precise vintage, highly representative of the Atlantic character, is expected.
Winemaking: Hand-harvested with vineyard selection. Fermentation with indigenous yeasts in neutral vessels (usually stainless steel or foudres), seeking to preserve varietal purity and the expression of the terroir. Aging on lees for several months, with gentle bâtonnage depending on the vintage, to add volume on the palate without losing tension. Minimal intervention, with very moderate use of sulfur dioxide and no aggressive fining.
Tasting notes: Pale yellow color with greenish reflections, clean and bright. On the nose, it displays a very defined, Atlantic profile, with notes of white fruit (apple, pear), citrus, fresh herbs, and a marked saline and mineral character reminiscent of the sea breeze. On the palate, it is precise and vibrant, with high acidity, a slightly creamy texture from lees aging, and a long, taut, and saline finish that provides great persistence.
Best before: 2026-2036. ABV: 12.5%
Production: Limited, not publicly specified precisely.
Pairings: Ideal with shellfish (especially oysters, clams, and barnacles), grilled or baked white fish, seafood rice dishes, and traditional Galician cuisine. It also pairs very well with Japanese cuisine (sushi, sashimi) or dishes with a salty and fresh profile. Served between 8°C and 10°C, its tension, freshness, and mineral character are best appreciated.
