Balado Albariño, Zarate 2020

The 2020 Balado fermented with indigenous yeasts in stainless steel, where it was kept with the full lees for three months, after which time it was racked and kept with fine lees for a further six months. It didn't have any bâtonnage and didn't go through malolactic fermentation. It has less alcohol than the 2019 I tasted next to it (13%) and has similar pH and acidity. Not having gone through malolactic, the acidity is different, it's a little like a Granny Smith apple, sharper and effervescent. This is very tasty, quite aromatic and approachable, and the grapes were perfumed from very early on. It was a very healthy crop, even if low in yields. 2,660 bottles produced. It was bottled in May 2021. They told me 2021 will be different, like the wines from the 1980s when it was difficult to achieve 12% alcohol. Drink 2023 - 2032.

The Balado vineyard bottling of Albariño from Eulogio Pomares’ Zarate winery is aged for six months in its fine lees prior to bottling, to allow the wine to gently nurture and add depth and complexity. The 2019 version delivers a beautifully classical bouquet of lime, green apple, white flowers, a touch of gently nutty leesy nuances, a complex base of soil tones and a nice note of ocean breeze in the upper register. On the palate the wine is bright, snappy and mineral-driven in personality, with a full-bodied, deep and complex format, zesty acids and excellent focus and grip on the long, poised and vibrant finish. Dynamite juice! 2022-2040