Notes from De Maison Selections:

"Highly regarded for crafting albariño, Do Ferreiro has become a reference point for the grape. They farm over 175 tiny plots of albariño by hand, all located in the Salnés subzone of Rías Baixas. This valley’s proximity to the ocean, ideal climate due to the natural protection by mountain ranges, and decomposed granitic soil have gained the reputation for being the best zone in Rías Baixas for growing profound albariño. The blend of these plots is what makes up Do Ferreiro Albariño. No other grape varieties or regions are blended into Do Ferreiro, as is common with many albariño wines. Fermentations are exclusively carried out by native yeasts."

About the cuvee:

Before it was planted to Albariño vines in the late 1700s, the plot was worked as a granite quarry — how's that for a rocky site? After the vineyard was cared for by generations of family farmers, in the late 1800s its ownership fell to descendants who had emigrated to South America in search of economic opportunity. For nearly a hundred years, it presumably went largely untended, becoming so overgrown with vegetation that the old Albariño vines were swallowed, invisible, and nearly lost to history and neglect. In 1979, the Mendez family bought the parcel for the equivalent of $850, discovering the hidden treasure of old vines during the rehabilitation process. Though countless chapters of its story remain a mystery, the current chapter may be its brightest: Do Ferreiro's 'Cepas Vellas' has transcended the Albariño category, becoming known as one of the world's great white wines.

Flor Impressions:

The warmth of the 2018 vintage comes through in the form of exuberant aromas of ripe, juicy yellow peach, accented by enticing scents of lime blossoms. The purity of peach and nectarine fruit stains the palate with its concentration, with a length of finish that seems to generally be reserved for wines of exceptionally old vines. A soft, creamy body is the perfect canvas for the layers of juicy acidity and mineral-inflected texture that unfold on the palate.

-GG, tasted 5/16/24