La Val, Orballo Albarino, Rias Baixas 2024

The 2024 Orballo is a varietal Albariño from the vines in a two-hectare plot in Finca Vilachán (50 hectares) in the subzone of O Rosal, 21-year-old vines on schist soils, closer to the sea, with a more marked salinity and minerality. It fermented in two 5,000-liter stainless steel tanks, where it was kept with the lees for six months, followed by six months in concrete eggs and a further six months in ceramic vessels. This is very different from the other Albariño; it has character, going beyond the varietal profile, with an austere stoniness I love. It has 12.5% alcohol with a pH of 3.21 and 7.5 grams of acidity, meaning contained ripeness and very good freshness. It is vibrant, sharp and saline, with more edge. 8,950 bottles produced. It was bottled in May 2025.

• Drinking Window: 2025 - 2029
• Reviewer Name: Luis Gutierrez
• Review Date: July 2025