Marqués De Murrieta Pazo Barrantes Albariño

A wide nuanced nose with ripe yellow plum and medlar fruit, subtle notes of bergamot and verbena underpinned by a fine balsamic background. Vibrant palate, well-balanced, fresh and textured. It shows a long and splendid finish. “A deep and full of nuances vintage that confirms the path began in 2019” María Vargas, Technical Director.

Wine Advocate 94+: The 2021 Gran Vino Albariño is the third vintage of this new cuvée from their 12 hectares in eight different plots (Cacheiro, Huerta, Besada, Eira, Ferradiña, Ferradura, Tomadiña and Souto) in the Valle del Salnés plus a further hectare rented from the archbishop. The destemmed grapes were pressed and the must let to settle and then fermented in stainless steel for around 30 days. The wine was kept with the lees in stainless steel for six months and then a further six months without the lees. Fifteen percent of the volume matured in acacia wood barrels. It was kept in bottle for around 20 months before being sold. It has 13.5% alcohol with a pH of 3.25 and seven grams of acidity (tartaric). It's pale and elegant, insinuating, perfumed, floral and subtle. It's lighter but very vibrant, and it's fresh and with volume and very tasty flavors. This could be the finest vintage to date—elegant, clean, classical and Atlantic. 105,274 numbered bottles and 1,827 magnums produced. It was bottled in July 2022. The wine is released almost two years after the harvest.

James Suckling 94: Unique, expressive and pure on the nose, with acacia, minerals and iodine. Bright and taut on the palate, with a subtle twist that goes through to the finish. Such an outstanding, gastronomic albarino. 10,000 bottles made. Drink now.

Vinous 92: The 2021 Albariño Gran Vino emerges from Rías Baixas, with 15% undergoing fermentation in acacia barrels. This yellow wine with a greenish sheen exudes a tropical bouquet of melon, lime, green apple and herbs. Dry and rich, it presents a creamy flow and a saline palate that lingers with multiple layers—truly a delightful white.

Wine Advocate 94: The 2022 Gran Vino Albariño was cropped from a warm and dry year is the third vintage of this new cuvée from their 12 hectares in eight different plots (Cacheiro, Huerta, Besada, Eira, Ferradiña, Ferradura, Tomadiña and Souto) in the Valle del Salnés plus a further hectare rented from the archbishop. The destemmed grapes were pressed and the must left to settle and then fermented in stainless steel for around 43 days. The wine was kept with the lees in stainless steel for four months and then a further eight months without the lees. Fifteen percent of the volume matured in acacia wood barrels. It was kept in bottle for two years before being sold. It comes in at the usual 13.5% alcohol with a pH of 3.35 and 7.15 grams of acidity (tartaric). They consider 2022 an excellent vintage, with very healthy grapes. The wine is very pale and clean and seems to close in the glass. It has a textbook nose of aged Albariño, exuberant and ripe without excess, with perfect development of aromas and flavors, with yellow fruit, flowers and a balsamic touch reminiscent of moss. It has a round and juicy palate, but it's still a little austere, with very good freshness and balance and a salty twist in the finish. With time, it develops more complexity, even notes of licorice. It's still young and undeveloped, especially when tasted next to the 2020 La Comtesse, but it's serious and balanced. A total of 127,820 numbered bottles and 1,956 magnums were produced. It was bottled in July 2023.

James Suckling 94: Very floral, showing chamomile and subtle citrus, followed by a precise note of white peaches. The palate is superbly balanced and chiseled, with a sense of symmetry and salinity. Remarkably composed. The grapes for this wine come from 12 different plots. Aged for a year: 85% in stainless steel and 15% in acacia barrels. Drink now.

Vinous 94: The 2022 Albariño Gran Vino aged for four months on lees, followed by eight months in stainless steel, with 15% aged in acacia barrels. It opens with fine notes of linden blossom and anise, alongside pear, biscuit and a balsamic hint of eucalyptus, plus a touch of apricot. This is creamy and flavorful, with a supple texture and a fresh lift. It is ready to drink now. The 2022 is an interesting style that emphasizes aging character over primary fruit.