I spend a lot of time and effort 'discovering' new regions and producers in an attempt to bring quality and value to the shelves of Monarch. Invariably, as the discoveries are more widely shared through press and social media, prices tend to creep upward, sometimes stratospherically so. There is one region however, whose wines continue to improve as prices remain oddly static: welcome to Rias Baixas on the Atlantic edge of Spain's west coast.
Here, on steep, granitic vineyards, Nanclares y Prieto continue to offer better and better wines through superior farming, a growing understanding of terroir and unrelenting ambition.
Today's wine is sourced from old vines mere meters from the cold North Atlantic. It's salty, striking and citric, with serious depth and ripping minerality. Akin to sinking your teeth into the brackish, granite rock soils that make this terroir so distinct. Structured, angular and concentrated, this is miles from the commercially popular, tropically fruited Albariño often seen hidden behind garish labels on supermarket shelves.
A wine of this quality, from a producer of this magnitude, at this price, is becoming an increasingly rare discovery.
I'm thrilled to offer the only bottles of 2023 Nanclares y Prieto 'Tempus Vivendi' Albariño in South Carolina. |
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100% Albariño sourced from a selection of old vine parcels located on an outcrop of land that sticks straight out into the Atlantic Ocean, composed of granite and clay soils. The organically grown grapes are hand harvested, gently pressed and fermented in stainless steel tanks, where the wine ages for 7 months on the lees. The first three of which see weekly batonnage, adding structure and texture.
A profound white wine, opening with lemon, lime, white grapefruit zest, iodine, and crushed oyster shells. The taut palate vibrates with nervous energy, delivering angular, salty minerals and bright citrus buttressed by refreshing acidity and seamless textures. This is an immensely satisfying and serious version of Albariño, begging to be paired with fresh seafood. |
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Nanclares y Prieto have developed something of a cult following in wine bars and shops the world over. It’s not the sort of recognition they sought, but their commitment to healthy viticulture and the distinctiveness that they're able to coax out of each plot of Albariño has made their wines touch stones. Their wines are a reminder that in the right hands, and with the right care, Albariño can be just as sensitive to changes in terroir as Chenin Blanc or Chardonnay.
The wines are all made with indigenous yeasts and no additives or manipulation, they are pure Galician Albariño from a humble, but very, very talented team. |
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2023 Nanclares y Prieto 'Tempus Vivendi' Albariño - $39.99
*SPECIAL NEWSLETTER PRICE - $37.99
*SPECIAL 2-PACK PRICE - $35.99/btl
To order, reply directly to this email or call me at 843.576.4845
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Justin Coleman
Proprietor
Monarch Wine Merchants |
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