BODEGAS AS LAXAS, VINAS SINGULARES, ALBARINO

RIAS BAIXAS, SPAIN

Our feature today is a crowd-pleaser, and for the price point, stocking up might be the easiest decision you'll ever make. For this Roll Out the Barrel offer, we're featuring three sensational, single-vineyard wines from Spain’s northwest region of Galicia, Rias Baixas. Admittedly, I'm a sucker for coastal whites - crisp, elegant, refreshing, bone-dry, and practically tasting the seafood that pairs with these wines. With the texture and mouth feel of a "serious" white as well as just the right amount of fresh acidity and salty-minerality to make you feel like you're tasting sun, summer and the ocean breeze, these wines have it all. From the most casual to the most serious wine drinker, this is another Somm favorite for good reason - there's nothing not to like, and for the price, there's no denying the "bang-for-your-buck."
 

Unlike any other wine region in Spain, the northwestern region of Rias Baixas looks much more like the lush, green, rocky hills of Ireland. The area is comprised of ocean inlets called "rias," lending to the name of the region and imparting distinct ocean influence on the exquisitely fresh, aromatic whites. Located on the banks of the River Mino, in the mountainous sub-region of Condado do Tea, the vineyard sites of the Bodegas As Laxas estate are historic. Established in 1860, their 19 acres of vines are now more than 30 years old and planted to granite terraces, 200 meters above sea level. The vines benefit from the south-facing slopes along with plentiful rainfall interspersed with dry spells to achieve their full potential. The Atlantic winds, intense sun, and granite soils provide the perfect environment for this noble Galician white. 
 

Made from 100% estate grown fruit, these three single vineyard wines feature the most emblematic plots as well as the oldest vines of the property. Being the first time the wines have been available in the US, we’re thrilled to introduce you to these three distinctive Albarinos. Viña Tixosa comes from 30-year-old vines that are planted at 350 meters above sea level, the highest elevation on the property. With sandy soils like the rest of the Viñas Singulares, Viña Tixosa has the most extensive root system and due to the elevation, is the last to harvest, allowing the fruit to develop an incredible depth of flavor and intensity. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel, followed by 10 months in French oak barrels where the wine takes on a rich, luxurious texture. O'Pucha is one of their oldest vineyards, with vines averaging 40 years old. At an altitude of 140-200 meters above sea level, the terraced slopes are south-facing, receiving the most sun of the three vineyards. Comprised of sandy topsoil with a granite sub-soil, this vineyard is very dry and produces the most overtly aromatic, ripe and rich fruit. For this singular wine, only the highest terraces are harvested, where the fruit develops the richest most intense flavors, going through a 24-hour cold maceration to preserve its aromatic intensity followed by fermentation in stainless steel. This wine is marked with incredible razor sharp minerality. Planted at the end of the 1990s, the Ponte Cabaleiros vineyard is situated on the Cea River bank. At 80 meters above sea level, the vineyard terraces are southwest facing with deep alluvial soils due to its proximity to the river. Marked by a distinct elegance, the fruit from Ponte Cabaleiros goes through an 18-hour cold maceration, followed by a fermentation using 100% native yeasts with batonnage.
 

All of the wines are lightly pressed to extract only the finest, most delicate juice, followed by cold racking to clarify. Using only native yeasts from the property to add to its aromatic distinction, the wines are clean and bright with an elegance that is unmatched by other wines in the region. Very intense and expressive, with long lasting aromas of tangerine, white flowers and tropical fruits, the wines are superbly rich with a long, persistent finish and fresh acidity. For these refreshingly delicious Albarinos, be warned, you might drink this faster than water so we're offering this wine for a patio-pounder price: 20% off 3-5 bottles and 30% off if you purchase 6 or more, Mix & Match. This deal won't last, so take this opportunity to stock up!