Pazo San Mauro Alboriño 2017

Pazo San Mauro bodega is part of the Marquis de Vargas Estates, named as such after its owner the 8th Marquis and his brother the Conde de Cristobel. The Pazo San Mauro vineyards, one of three they own, were bought in 2000 from another family of Spanish/Portugese nobility directly descended from King Sancho I of Portugal.

Unfortunately none if these posh nobs came to Madrid to present the wine tasting at vinopremier.com. They sent their minions instead, but I’m told they are active in the business.

Enough of the history, check out the website if you want to know more. More importsntly, what was the wine like?

This white wine is a 100% Alboriño from 20 to 40 year old vines grown on layered terraces in granite/sandy soil. Apparently they’ve had the soil tested by the French to make sure they are using the best grape varieties for each area.

In colour the wine is a very pale yellow and it had a fruity scent (white fruits) with floral hints and citrus coming through. A dry white with high acidity and a medium finish. On the tongue the acidity tends to take over and overwhelm the fruit flavours. It comes across as more citrusy than fruity.

Having said that it was not a bad wine and in fairness most Alboriños from Rias Baixas tend to have higher acidity. It’s an Atlantic climate with cold nights and more than its fair share of cloudy wet days. This tends to lend to acidic wines.

Not the best Alboriño I’ve tried. Not the worst either. Perfectly drinkable but I wouldn’t seek it out.