We kicked off the 36th virtual wine tasting with this delightful Albarino, tasted chilled first and then at room temperature for comparison. I picked this bottle as we had tasted the 2018 Gran Bazan Ambar and loved it. Pale lemon in color with a watery sheen (13% ABV). Medium (+) intensity aromas of cantaloupe, melon, yellow apple skin, peach and saline were noted by the members. On the palate we got medium (+) acidity and a medium (-) body. Minerality was a key component of the taste with saline, cantaloupe, melon, honeydew, lemon pith and peach all present. The finish was medium in length leading to a 17 point award on our tasting scale.
The room temperature version was very muted on the nose and palate but it had more minerality, less fruit and was waxy on the mouthfeel. There was a pithy bitterness on the back end that we did not get with the chilled version. It showed a shorter finish as well making it a 12 point effort.
Overall I love this wine and gave it 89 points which makes it a 4 star bottle considering its $19 price point. I would pair it with grilled Swordfish or a Paella. Drink now. Salut….
