Albariño 'Lias Finas', Attis, Rias Baixas, Galicia, Spain 2024
Albariño 'Lias Finas', Attis, Rias Baixas, Galicia, Spain 2024
The trouble with discovering a predilection for something is that you quickly become picky and that’s what has happened to us with Albariño. First there was the infatuation, when we rushed headlong towards anything that said Albariño on the label, then came the disillusionment, as we discovered that some Albariños were better than others, and finally came the nitpicking, as we refused to settle for ones that were too light or too astringent or too vegetal or too short or who still lived with their parents. It would take a real beauty to turn our heads and that’s what happened here.
The Attis ‘Lias Finas’ 2024 reminds us why we fell in love with Albariño in the first place. It pours a bright, fresh, silver-lemon colour with a hint of green at the edge , and is dry yet full of succulent, juicy fruit, glistening with grapefruit, apricot, white peach, chalk dust and salt flakes. ‘Lias Finas’ means ‘fine lees’ and indicates that the wine was aged on its lees for 6 months (25% of which was in large oak foudres), giving the wine extra body and richness. Swoon. 13% alc. Drink now-2029.
Press review:
Vinous: "The 2024 Albariño Las Finas is from Meano, Val do Salnes, Rias Baixas. This has attractive aromas of peach, lychee, jasmine, herbs and mint. It is dry, medium-bodied and slightly creamy in texture. This gains freshness on the palate, defining a complete profile. The 2024 is a well-made, nuanced Salnes Albariño. Drink 2025 - 2035.” 94 points
Tim Atkin: “Racy, crunchy expression of Val do Salnés Albariño with layers of citrus and macadamia nut and a textured mid palate. Drink now-2028.” 92 points
Jancis Robinson MW (previous vintage): “Really lifted, marine, appetising nose. Savoury, saline finish. Lots to get your teeth into. Drink now-2027.” 16.5 points
Customer Comments:
“I’m m in love. Please may I have a another half case?” - Mrs. V. J.
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Cool, classy and sophisticated, but enough about me, let’s talk about the wine. I really like the way this delivers a hatful of fruit in a very controlled, linear, focused way. The Godello ripened perfectly in 2022, thanks to the warm vintage in Bierzo, which allowed Raul Perez to channel all its energy and flavour without the need for the cosmetic effects of new oak, so you have a wine that is concentrated, saline, mineral and age-worthy. A quirky, Atlantic Chablis if you will. You won’t? Fair enough. 13.5% alc. Drink now-2029.
Organically farmed
Press review:
Tim Atkin MW: "Textured and nuanced, La del Vivo is a Godello with serious personality. Delicate chamomile and honey aromas lead to ripe apricot and peach syrup with a little bitter almond and a touch of white pepper. It takes time to open up but then reveals a fantastically chalky palate and just a little woody spice from 12 months in large oak vats. Should continue to develop further over the coming years. Drink now-2028." 95 points
The Wine Advocate: “The white 2022 La Vizcaína La del Vivo comes from vines they own, all fermented without temperature control and never racked. It has a serious and austere nose that makes me think of a cooler year. There is good ripeness, and the wine achieved 13.5% alcohol but has very good freshness and acidity. It has notes of white flowers, fruit, spices and herbs and is complex, nuanced and elegant. It has a chalky palate with very fresh and clean flavors. Drink 2022-2032.” 95 points
JancisRobinson.com (previous vintage): “Freshness and predominantly water pear. Very pleasant and consistent style. Lightness, salinity, and all very well placed. It is a wine of finesse that seeks a more mineral expression of Godello, less opulent, playing with softness and delicacy. Great work. Drink now-2028.” 17 points
Customer comments:
“On first opening it may not smack you in the face, but freshness, zip and zing are apparent straight away and different characteristics emerge with each glass. Salinity? Tick. Minerality? Tick. A citrus streak? Tick. Fine mouthfeel? Tick. The structure to age? Tick.” - Mr T.M.