Winemaker Notes
This vintage exhibits bright aromas of honeysuckle and star jasmine, Asian pear and stone fruit like apricot and white peach. The palate displays its classic minerality reminiscent of wet stones and it is crisp and lively, savory and with bright acidity – but also a note of sunshine from California!
Serve with raw or grilled seafood, smoked salmon, sushi and Asian cuisine — and for sure, with tapas!
Professional Ratings
-
Wine Enthusiast
High-toned acidity keeps this wine fresh and succulent, with strong fruit flavors of stone fruit, citrus and white flower. A touch of baking spice rides along the fruity midpalate, the wine fermented in stainless steel.
Bright and aromatic with distinctive floral and fruity characteristics, Albariño has enjoyed a surge in popularity and an increase in plantings over the last couple of decades. Thick skins allow it to withstand the humid conditions of its homeland, Rías Baixas, Spain, free of malady, and produce a weighty but fresh white. Somm Secret—Albariño claims dual citizenship in Spain and Portugal. Under the name Alvarinho, it thrives in Portugal’s northwestern Vinho Verde region, which predictably, borders part of Spain’s Rías Baixas.
A standout region for its decidedly Californian take on Burgundian varieties, the Russian River Valley is named for the eponymous river that flows through it. While there are warm pockets of the AVA, it is mostly a cool-climate growing region thanks to breezes and fog from the nearby Pacific Ocean.
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir reign supreme in Russian River, with the best examples demonstrating a unique combination of richness and restraint. The cool weather makes Russian River an ideal AVA for sparkling wine production, utilizing the aforementioned varieties. Zinfandel also performs exceptionally well here. Within the Russian River Valley lie the smaller appellations of Chalk Hill and Green Valley. The former, farther from the ocean, is relatively warm, with a focus on red and white Bordeaux varieties. The latter is the coolest, foggiest parcel of the Russian River Valley and is responsible for outstanding Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.