Alberto Orte 2023 'Muti' Albarino, Rias Baixas DO

As indicated by the name, Muti (mother) is a wine made in honor of all mothers. With Muti, Alberto wants to showcase the classic hallmarks of Albariño. The dry, mineral and citrus characters of this wine are a superb match for oysters and fresh seafood, and the winemaking techniques lend to producing an incredibly ageworthy Albariño like few others. This is from a single site called Eira da Juapa. The vines are between 20 - 150 years old and planted on granite soils.

Terroir Notes: The vineyard is located within village of Meis in the Val do Salnés subzone of the Rías Baixas DO. Located in Spain's upper northwest corner, Rías Baixas is just above the border with Portugal. Rías Baixas means low estuaries, a reference to the area's many rivers that lead to the ocean. The landscape is low undulating hills and the vineyard is planted on the slopes and on the flat valley floors. This area's climatic conditions give this wine an “Atlantic” character. Of the 5 subzones in Rías Baixas, Val do Salnés is the coolest due to the proximity of the Atlantic Ocean. Yearly rainfall is above 1,700 millimeters (66 inches), or what one would expect in one of the wettest regions in Spain. The area is quite foggy with an average temperature from April-October of 63.4F.

Winemaking Notes: The wine is macerated on the skins for 24 hours. 67% of the wine is aged for 12 months in 1000L foudres and 33% remains in stainless steel tank.

Tasting Notes: A complex, highly perfumed bouquet evokes orange zest, white flowers, candied ginger and dusty minerals, with a suggestion of fresh fig in the background. Stains the palate with fresh citrus and orchard fruit flavors that turn deeper and spicier with aeration. Closes stony and very long, with lingering florality and no rough edges. This intensely vibrant wine was aged in oak foudres.

Pairing Suggestions: Muti Albariño shows fresh, stone fruit aromas and almost searing, clean acidity and a strong mineral character that together are a perfect match for shellfish, seafood and lighter salads.