88 Points - "Pale gold. Orange zest, pear skin and quinine on the fragrant nose and in the mouth. Herb and anise notes come up with air, along with a hint of chalky minerality. This sappy, penetrating albarino finishes with a tangy quality and a strong repeating note of quinine." -Josh Raynolds, Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, September 2012.
COMPOSITION: 100% Albariño
TASTING NOTES:
90 Points - [Refers to previous vintage] - "Bright gold. High-pitched citrus fruits and flowers on the nose, with hints of anise and juniper. Racy but packs a punch, offering zesty orange pith, peach pit and lemongrass flavors, with a strong note of white pepper. Very clean and spicy on the finish, which leaves notes of fresh herbs and honey. This wine's mix of depth and energy make it very flexible with food." -Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
88 Points - [Refers to 2009 vintage] - "The 2009 Peitan was fermented and aged in stainless steel and aged sur lie. Medium straw-colored, it reveals an enticing perfume of mineral, floral notes, lemon, and a hint of tropical aromas. Medium-bodied, dry, vibrant, and nicely balanced, it will provide pleasant drinking over the next 3 years. It is an outstanding value in aromatic white wine." -Josh Raynolds, The Wine Advocate
PRODUCER NOTES:
"Bodegas Viña Nora owns 14 hectares of vineyard that are planted with the Albariño variety. The vines are trellised, as is traditional, and the soil is composed of a mixture of gravelly alluvium and decomposed granite. The winery supplements these 14 hectares by buying in grapes from respected vine growers from within the three sub-regions of the DO: Condado do Tea, Val do Salnés and Ribeira do Ulla.
In Spain's renowned DOs, the actual acquisition of vineyards in Spain can be a difficult and expensive business, but in Galicia there is the added problem of traditional land fragmentation. Purchasing one hectare of vineyard in areas such as As Neves can sometimes involve negotiation with more than 25 small landowners.
The Albariño grape is Galicia's most celebrated grape and, together with the Castillian Verdejo, is one of Spain's most illustrious white varieties. It is a small grape, with tough skin and a concentrated must. It thrives in this climate.
An Albariño wine is generally a light golden color, and has an aromatic intensity that conjures up notes of apple, kiwi and peach, sometimes with floral undertones, and an unctuous must that complements the balance between the wine's acidity and maturity."
