The greatest Albariños on the planet have returned. And this is the broadest and deepest collection we have ever offered. I still stand behind the proclamation I made in our last offer: the wines of Nanclares y Prieto are the best Spanish whites I have ever tasted.
What Alberto Nanclares and Silvia Prieto have done with these wines has brought Albariño of Rías Baixas to heights previously unknown in the region. The closest comparisons I can think of are Vincent Dauvissat and François Raveneau: winemakers whose ability and profound knowledge of their terroir have transcended Chablis. Like the finest Chablis, each of these Albariños express a distinct and stunning singularity of site, each displaying a transportive, saline base note of the Galician coast.
These are as moving, thought provoking and delicious as wine can be. I encourage you to act quickly, as they have sold out rapidly each time I've offered them. |
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Soverribas 2022 $63.99
Albariño from three west-facing parcels of sand, gravel and a touch of clay. Vines range in age from 35 to 100 years old. The grapes are gently pressed before fermenting with ambient yeast in one single 2200 liter French oak barrel, where it ages for 9 months before bottling.
A blooming nose of ripe yellow apple, stone fruits, white pepper and lemon verbena. The palate is laser sharp and salty with perfectly balanced guava and green mango fruit. Tightly wound and full of energy, it's drinking great now, but will certainly reward a few years rest in your cellar.
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A Grana 2022 $63.99
Albariño from a single parcel of 15-30-year-old vines on shallow sand above granite bedrock. Fermented and aged in a 75%/25% mix of Chestnut barrels and stainless steel tanks. Weekly bâtonnage for the first three months, then untouched for 9 months before bottling.
Strikingly precise but generous, this wine walks a razor sharp line of lush texture and firmness. Fresh squeezed lemon and lime with hints of marcona almond and white flowers. The tension between verve and richness is what really sets this wine apart. A perfect foil for jamon Iberico.
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Alberto Nanclares 2022 $59.99
Albariño from a mix of sites comprised of granite and sand. The grapes are gently pressed into a mix of stainless steel tanks and neutral French oak barrels. The same 3 month bâtonnage regiment as A Grana is used.
Alberto considers this both a textbook, classic expression of Albariño as well as a house style. Leaning into the stone fruit and herbal side of the variety, there's salty white peach, lemon, and a minty edge. A deeply concentrated Albariño exuding freshness and zing.
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O Bocoi Vello 2022 $49.99
Albariño ranging in age from 25 to 95 years old, planted on decomposed granitic sand. Hand harvested, foot-trodden and fermented in a combination of stainless steel and oak. Aged for 9 months in large, old Chestnut barrels with weekly stirring of the lees.
A crisp and bright nose of Meyer lemon, lime, white flowers and sea salt. The palate is juicy and bright with refreshing citrus and freshly cut green herbs. There is a soft edge to this wine which balances the rocky minerality and cleansing acidity perfectly.
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Porta Franca 2022 $54.99
Albariño from 20-35 year old vines planted on rich sandy-loam soils over granitic bedrock. The grapes are hand-harvested, sorted and pressed directly into a single 450L neutral oak barrel to ferment and age. In a bit of a departure from Alberto's style, Porta Franca is the only wine that undergoes Malolactic conversion.
A pungent and more lusty nose of apricot, pear, lemon cream and a touch of almond nuttiness. The palate is lush in texture yet remains taut and crisp with ripe citrus and saline tang. Like a salty, Spanish Chassagne-Montrachet.
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O Son das Pisadas 2022 $59.99
A rare bird, as Nanclares rarely dabbles in red wine. 100% Mencía from 30-45-year-old vines on sandy-loam soils with granite bedrock. The grapes are hand sorted before being crushed by foot for fermentation. The wine is then pressed into two barrels: one 400L neutral French oak and one 300L chestnut wher it ages for 11 months. Once bottled it ages an additional 11 months before release.
Wild and fragrant, this is a savory, herbaceous expression of Mencía, with brambly raspberry, pomegranate, cranberry, rosemary and pepper. The vivid palate delivers bright red fruits and dried rose on a silky, elegant and salty plane.
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Alberto Nanclares and Silvia Prieto settled in the seaside town of Castrelo after he retired from his career as an economist in their native Basque country. They quickly became the stars of Galicia
Everything they do is hands off: organic agriculture, ambient yeast ferments, and no filtration. The results are crystal clear, chiseled wines that transmit their place through purity and precision. |
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*SPECIAL NEWSLETTER PRICE - CHOOSE ANY 4 & RECEIVE 5% OFF
To order, reply directly to this email or call me at 843.576.4845
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Justin Coleman
Proprietor
Monarch Wine Merchants |
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