2024 Zarate Albarino Rías Baixas, Galicia

The 2024 Albariño is from Padrenda in Meaño, Salnés, Rías Baixas. This aged on lees. It offers delicate notes of subtle aging and orange blossom, with gentle lime, a hint of orange and white fruit such as pear and green apple. This is expressive, with a fine, oily texture and an elegant palate.

93 points Joaquin Hidalgo vinous.com

The nose of the 2024 Zarate shows something savory, with a clear influence from the sea breeze and an almost salty twist in the finish. This is, of course, their flagship Albariño that always shows the character of the year, here very complete, with good ripeness, 13% alcohol and a very balanced mouthfeel. This is clean and precise, harmonious and elegant, with the chalky, slightly grainy finish from the granite soils. It’s superb at this price point.

93 points Luis Gutiérrez robertparker.com

From the historic Val do Salnés subregion in Rías Baixas, Zárate is one of Galicia’s most revered Albariño producers, with family roots in viticulture stretching back to the early eighteenth century. Today the estate is guided by Eulogio Pomares, whose thoughtful approach combines old vine preservation, sustainable farming and precise cellar work to craft wines that speak clearly of their Atlantic origins. Granite rich soils, high rainfall and cooling ocean breezes shape Albariño here into a style of vivid freshness, saline minerality and layered aromatic detail.

A pale straw colour with shimmering green highlights reflects the wine’s coastal vitality. Aromas rise in bright waves of lime zest, white peach and green apple layered with orange blossom, sea spray and crushed stone. There is an immediate sense of purity and energy, capturing the vibrant personality of great Rías Baixas Albariño.

The palate is crisp and mouthwatering, delivering flavours of citrus, nectarine and subtle tropical hints framed by lively acidity and a finely textured mid palate. A distinct mineral and saline thread carries through the long, refreshing finish, making the wine both invigorating and wonderfully food friendly. While best enjoyed young for its vibrancy, it will continue to develop gentle honeyed and savoury complexity over three to five years.

A natural companion for seafood rich tables, it shines with freshly shucked oysters, grilled sardines, prawn ceviche or paella brimming with shellfish. Zárate Albariño captures the windswept charm of Galicia, perfect for sunlit lunches, coastal gatherings and those moments when freshness and flavour come together effortlessly.