Albariño Season

With heat blast down on us during these mid-August days - and even nights, I keep reaching for thirst-quenching whites. I have an extra row of whites stacked in my refrigerator, and a few delicious bottles from Rias Baixas are always amongst them. Here are three excellent, flavor-packed choices that I recently enjoyed. 

91
Davide 2019 Albariño 2° Ano Rias Baixas 13% $35
This is a bright and spicy Albariño hailing from Val do Salnés and showing a caressing mid-palate texture followed by a refreshing, mineral and sea salt-driven, lingering finish. The layers of flavor unfold as the wine opens in the glass, starting with lush yellow plums and pomelo zest and moving into savory tones of bay leaf and chicken stock. Delightful to sip on its own, this will also complement a wide array of seafood dishes as well as creamy cheeses.
Drink: 2021-24

89
Terras Gauda 2020 Rías Baixas O Rosal 12.5% $20
Intriguing from the start, this medium-bodied, mildly textured white starts with flavors of fennel and sea salt. The moderate finish shows some pithy blood orange peel and oodles of minerality, too. With delightfully, cheek-gripping acidity, this should hold nicely and may develop well in bottle, too. This is a blend of 70% Albariño, 10% Loureira and 20% Caiño.
Drink: 2021-24

88
Granbazán 2020 Albariño Etiqueta Verde Rías Baixas 13% $19
A chiseled style, this crisp and ultra-fresh Albariño is a lightening rod. The zippy acidity super charges the medium-bodied palate that is dense with flavor. Pear skin, donut peach and white currant contrast nicely with aloe and fern. Lightly slate-y on the modest finish, this is ready to enjoy and irresistible to boot. This also comes from the Val do Salnés.
Drink: 2021-23