Tried these two Albarinos over the weekend:
1. field brook Albarino RustyGateFarmsVnyd/RRV (172 cs; 14.2%) SpotswoodeEstate/StHelena 2016: Med.gold color; very fragrant Albarino/melony/floral light perfumed talc/chalky rather spicy/cardamon slight waxy very attractive nose; rather tart/bit lean floral/melong/Albarino bit tangy/metallic slight perfumed talc/chalky bit saline/steely/savory structured flavor; very long very tart/lean/brisk strong floral/melony/Albarino rather savory/saline/steely bit spicy/cardamon light chalky/perfumed talc finsih; one of the most Galician-like Albarinos from Calif I can recall; a steal at $18.00 (PrimaIlC)
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2. Alberto Nanclares Albarino Dd'O: RiasBaixas (13%; L-2016; www.JosePastorSelections.com; 30-60 yr old vines) 2016: Light yellow near colorless; somewhat earthy/chalky/mineral light floral/pear/Albarino slight bacony/smokey bit spicy/pimenton quite interesting/unusual nose; fairly tart/tangy/metallic floral/Albarino/mango/pear light smokey/spicy/pimenton/bacony some earthy/chalky fairly complex flavor; very long tart/tangy/metallic/steely fairly floral/pear/mango/Albarino/carnations light bacony/pimenton/smokey bit earthy/chalky complex finish; an unusual bit exotic complex rendition of Galician Albarino. $28.00 (AV)
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A wee BloodyPulpit:
1. field book: This was a wine that showed up last week in my Prima IlConsorzio shipment. A label I'd never heard of before. Apparently used for wines made from purchased grapes. They also make a Syrah from Griggin'sLair vnyd. Normal retail on this Albarino is $32, so the IlConsorzio price is very good.
Back in the days (by cracky) when I used to follow NapaVlly Cabs, Spotswoode was one of my favorites. But, as the price escalated, I dropped out of following it.
I seem to recall that Spotswoode was recently sold, but I can't track down that story.
Tom