D'Alfonso-Curran Albarino 2017
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Wilfred
Wong
Product Details
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Somm Note
Winemaker Notes
Palate notes clean and expressive, this Spanish white varietal showcases ripe pear, melon and honeysuckle with hints of marzipan and cinnamon. Beautifully structured with rich texture and firm tannin's, this Albariño is perfectly balanced though its long, crisp finish. Pair with oysters, fresh crab or prawns, steamed clams, grilled fish, beet & burrata salad, risotto, sushi and ceviche.
Professional Ratings
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
COMMENTARY: The 2017 D'Alfonso-Curran Albariño is another success of an American winery producing an excellent effort from a grape with much of its history in the Old World. TASTING NOTES: This wine is aromatic, pleasing, and substantial. Its aromas and flavors of dried earth, citrus, and mango should pair it beautifully with seared sea bass topped with al dente bean sprouts. (Tasted: August 30, 2019, San Francisco, CA)
Bright and aromatic with distinctive floral and fruity characteristics, Albariño has enjoyed a surge in popularity and an increase in plantings over the last couple of decades. Thick skins allow it to withstand the humid conditions of its homeland, Rías Baixas, Spain, free of malady, and produce a weighty but fresh white. Somm Secret—Albariño claims dual citizenship in Spain and Portugal. Under the name Alvarinho, it thrives in Portugal’s northwestern Vinho Verde region, which predictably, borders part of Spain’s Rías Baixas.
With a dry and mild climate cooled significantly by moist ocean fog and breezes, Santa Barbara County is a grape-grower’s dream. Part of the larger Central Coast appellation, Santa Barbara is home to Santa Maria Valley and Santa Ynez Valley. The conditions here provide an opportunity for nearly effortless production of high-quality cool-climate Central Coast wines. This is also the site of the 2004 film Sideways, which caused Pinot Noir’s popularity to skyrocket and brought new acclaim to the region.
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are the stars of Santa Barbara, producing wines marked by racy acidity. Crisp Sauvignon Blanc and savory Syrah are also important. The region is home to many young and enthusiastic winemakers eager to experiment with less common varieties including Chenin Blanc, Grüner Veltliner, Trousseau Gris, Gamay and Cabernet Franc, making it an exciting area to watch.