Review of Lagar de Bouza Albariño 2015

We received the product for review and all opinions are our own.

Warm weather begs for high acid, refreshing wines to quench one’s thirst, and provide that well deserved crisp glass of wine after a long day at work. The glass sweats with condensation, while the cool wine opens up and begins to release its intoxicating aromas. As the sun sets, you kick your feet up, pick up that glass of wine, and put it to your lips… Does this sound at all appealing to you? I am drooling over here just thinking about it! I think it is time to grab a bottle of wine and fulfill that warm weather fantasy. Which wine to choose though? With so many options in the wine world that live up to the refreshing, high acidity platform, one must make decisions as to which bottle to crack open. Do you know what sounds good to me? Albariño. Let’s uncork a bottle, shall we?

Up for review is a bottle of Spanish Albariño from Bouza do Rei. The bodega was founded in 1984 and they specialize exclusively in Albariño production. The winery is located in the Ribadumía, in the heart of the Salnés valley, in the coastal plain of Galicia. It is a fertile region, and is very flat, with vines planted on small hills rarely reaching higher than 100 meters above sea level. The soils are sandy and rich in organic material, with granite a plenty. The soils are very permeable too, making for less water saturation thus producing more concentrated grapes.

Let’s crack open the bottle now. The first thing that completely stands out is the flat shoulder of the bottle. It is quite unique, and to me extremely attractive. Once uncorked, this wine pours into the glass a brilliant light gold. The nose comes alive with powerful aromas of fresh cut limes, gala apple, and a hint of peach. The palate confirms the nose with the addition of slight tropical fruit notes, such as mango and pineapple. The mouthfeel is rich, warm and cozy, with a touch of salinity, and a lot of mineral. The finish is supple and long. I really dig the balance of this wine; it has everything covered from the front of the palate to the back of the throat.

Specifications:

• Bouza do Rei Albariño, 2015 vintage
• Appellation: Spain, Rías Baixas, Galicia
• Grape varieties: 100% Albariño
• Barrels: Stainless steel fermented and aged
• Clarity/brightness: Clear/bright, with no detectable flaws and no evidence of gas or sediment
• Tannins: N/A
• Acidity: High
• Alcohol: Medium
• Finish: Long
• Alcohol by volume: 12.5%
• Retail price: $15.00 at the time of review

This wine is a great buy for the price tag, especially for a great food pairing partner. Albariño is notorious for being high in acidity, and this bottle is no different. Big, bold and refreshing with a hint of tameness, this wine offers quite a bit of punch for the buck. Drink alone, or pair with dishes high in acidity and or salt. Lemon pepper breaded chicken wings sound like a righteous complement to this wine, I encourage you to try it!

Sip, savor, and enjoy my fellow wine aficionados.