Albamar SESENTA E NOVE ARROBAS 2024

ALBAMAR SESENTA E NOVE ARROBAS 2024

Sesenta e Nove Arrobas 2024 is an old-vine Albariño that captures the depth and personality of the Salnés Valley. Made by Xurxo Alba from a selection of small vineyard plots, it combines the Atlantic freshness typical of Rías Baixas with notable structure, an enveloping texture and a pronounced saline character. Extended lees ageing adds complexity and volume without compromising tension or precision. An expressive, food-friendly white wine deeply connected to the Galician landscape.

PHILOSOPHY

At Albamar, in the heart of the Salnés Valley, Xurxo Alba offers a personal interpretation of Rías Baixas wines. His work focuses on indigenous grape varieties, vineyard diversity and the expression of place, with particular attention to the influence of the Atlantic and the region’s granite soils.

Sesenta e Nove Arrobas is made from a selection of small plots planted with old Albariño vines. The aim is not simply to reproduce the variety’s most immediate, aromatic style, but to reveal its potential for depth, structure and complexity. The combination of old vines and extended lees ageing produces a white wine distinguished by its mineral character and gastronomic versatility.

WINEMAKING AND VINTAGE

The 2024 vintage comes from several small vineyard plots in the Salnés Valley, some containing century-old vines. Following harvest, the grapes are pressed and fermented with the winery’s own yeasts in stainless-steel tanks. The wine then spends approximately 15 months on its lees, without bâtonnage. This ageing process adds texture, breadth and complexity while preserving Albariño’s freshness.

In this vintage, the vineyard origins and lees ageing contribute to a profile combining fruit, citrus notes and subtle hints of development with a pronounced mineral character. Acidity supports the wine throughout, while its saline quality extends the finish, creating a balanced, structured white wine that is particularly versatile at the table.

VINEYARDS AND GRAPE VARIETY

Made from 100% Albariño, the wine comes from selected small vineyard plots in the Salnés Valley, within the Rías Baixas appellation. These are old vineyards, with some sources placing their average age at around 80–90 years and several plots containing vines more than a century old.

The soils consist mainly of decomposed granite and sand, with small proportions of clay. Together with the influence of the Atlantic Ocean, these conditions help preserve freshness and enhance the wine’s mineral and saline character. The selection of old vines contributes concentration and structure while retaining the distinctive identity of Galician Albariño.

TASTING NOTES

Bright straw-yellow in colour, the wine offers aromas of apple and citrus, particularly lime, alongside ripe fruit and subtle toasted and yeasty notes that add complexity. Its aromatic expression is intense and clean, with an underlying mineral character reflecting its granitic, Atlantic origins.

On the palate, it stands out for its tension, structure and balance. Lees ageing provides volume and an enveloping texture, while acidity keeps the wine lively and precise. Salinity becomes increasingly prominent towards a long, persistent finish with citrus and mineral notes. A distinctive Albariño that can be enjoyed now or after further bottle ageing.

FOOD PAIRING

Its structure and depth make it an excellent match for shellfish, oysters, clams, white fish and grilled oily fish. It also pairs beautifully with seafood rice dishes, octopus, cod, poultry, pasta with delicate sauces and medium-intensity cheeses.

This is a particularly gastronomic white wine, capable of accompanying more elaborate dishes than those usually associated with young Albariño. Serve between 9 and 12 °C to appreciate its complexity, avoiding excessively low temperatures.

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Producer: Albamar — Xurxo Alba

Wine: Sesenta e Nove Arrobas 2024

Origin: Salnés Valley, Galicia, Spain

Appellation: D.O. Rías Baixas

Style: White wine

Grape variety: 100% Albariño

Vineyards: Selected small plots of old vines, including century-old vines

Soils: Decomposed granite, sand and small proportions of clay

Harvest: Hand-picked

Fermentation: With the winery’s own yeasts in stainless-steel tanks

Ageing: Approximately 15 months on lees in stainless steel, without bâtonnage

Alcohol: 13%

Bottle size: 75cl

Serving temperature: 9–12 °C

Allergens: Contains sulphites.