2024 La Val Orballo Albarino Rias Baixas

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.

92+Points Robert Parker