We tasted two whites this weekend which we believe are well worth mentioning.
Both are unoaked. Both are low alcohol ( 12.5 and 13% ). Both are sensational patio wines which find a whole new degree of seriousness when served with food- and both are under twenty dollars.
All of the very best, Rex and Michele
2015 Pazo de Senorans Albarino, Rias Baixas, Spain, $19.50
Albarino is the grape varietal. These Albarino vineyards are found in the Rias Baixas region on the northwest coast of Spain.
This wine is a stony combination of white peach , apricot, apricot pit, Mandarin and lemon zest with an enticing mineral composition dancing throughout its structure. Though dry the mid palate is very well defined and becomes lush when paired with food. I tried it with tamales and chili at one point, and the wine jumped up and wrapped around the pork and spice. The finish is long and then crisp. The Pazo de Senorans is exceptional with seafood, Asian, pasta primavera and a great wine to have around the grill for chicken, ribs and sausage.
- The 2015 is not yet rated but has a history of 90 plus point scores and was singled out by "the best sommelier" for 2017 as excellent
2014 Pierre Sparr Gewurztraminer, Alsace, France, $18.50
This Gewurtz struck me as nicely dry and very spicy. The flavor profile is passion fruit with mango and apricot. The spice ranges from cloves and pepper to vibrant orange peel. I really liked it with ripe brie, shrimp in butter with garlic and chips with spicy salsa. I think this will be a great fried chicken and jalapeno wine. There is a lot of dimension to this wine. The average age of the vines is 30 years and the vineyards have a perfect composition of granite, limestone and chalk. They allow no irrigation. The vines are stressed and that shows in a very electric complexity for a wine of this price.
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