Terras Gauda La Mar 2014
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Robert
Parker
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Showing some development and age on the nose, the 2014 La Mar is a Caino Blanco-based blend with 10% Albarino and Loureiro. It's a citric and effervescent white with very high acidity and low ripeness. It seems like Caíno Blanco brings very high acidity, but in this challenging vintage it is lacking a bit in the middle and comes through as a bit harsh, even if the aromas are quite developed. A bit contradictory, isn't it? 16,580 bottles were filled in July 2015.
Rating: 90?
From a private initiative and spurred by the setting-up of Viñedos do Rosal and Adegas das Eiras. the founding partners’ original dream of making a firm commitment to O Rosal wines began to be realised. He winery’s philosophy was that Albariño, being such a noble variety, could benefit greatly from a union with other native strains to provide it with subtle new qualities and so further enhance the already strong reputation of O Rosal wines.
Over the years, the original two companies have merged into one, called - logically, given the prestige and recognition achieved by our leading brand - Bodegas Terras Gauda, meaning "joyous land."
Beyond the usual suspects, there are hundreds of red grape varieties grown throughout the world. Some are indigenous specialties capable of producing excellent single varietal wines, while others are better suited for use as blending grapes. Each has its own distinct viticultural characteristics, as well as aroma and flavor profiles, offering much to be discovered by the curious wine lover. In particular, Portugal and Italy are known for having a multitude of unique varieties but they can really be found in any region.
Named after the rías, or estuarine inlets, that flow as far as 20 miles inland, Rías Baixas is an Atlantic coastal region with a cool and wet maritime climate. The entire region claims soil based on granite bedrock, but the inlets create five subregions of slightly different growing environments for its prized white grape, Albariño.
Val do Salnés on the west coast is said to be the birthplace of Albariño; it is the coolest and wettest of all of the regions. Having been named as the original subregion, today it has the most area under vine and largest number of wineries.
Ribeira do Ulla in the north and inland along the Ulla River is the newest to be included. It is actually the birthplace of the Padrón pepper!
Soutomaior is the smallest region and is tucked up in the hills at the end of the inlet called Ria de Vigo. Its soils are light and sandy over granite.
O Rosal and Condado do Tea are the farthest south in Rías Baixas and their vineyards actually cover the northern slopes of the Miño River, facing the Vinho Verde region in Portugal on its southern bank.
Albariño gives this region its fame and covers 90% of the area under vine. Caiño blanco, Treixadura and Loureira as well as occasionally Torrontés and Godello are permitted in small amounts in blends with Albariño. Red grapes are not very popular but Mencía, Espadeiro and Caiño Tinto are permitted and grown.