Pazo Senorans Albarino

It's hard to believe Pazo de Senorans have been making wine for a mere 28 years given that they are now considered one of the finest producers in Spain.

Anna, the winemaker, is fastidious in her approach, which could not be more pared back or simple. Having worked with the same growers over many years, there are no secrets to the success, it is all about the quality of the fruit.

Albarino,

Trained on a Pergola system. Manual picking in small 14kgplastic cases. Fruit comes from their own 29 ha of vineyard and around 160 Growers and 500 specially selected micro parcels, each being inspected rigorously and samples regularly taken from each parcel. The use of so many growers adds the complexity to the wine that Pazo Senorans are known for.

Alcoholic fermentation is carried out in stainless steel tanks at 18°C and matured for 4 months on the lees.

This has lots of intensity. Small stone fruits, hints of white flowers, herbs, fennel, and bay leaves, with a clear earthy, mineral, and saline background. Still vibrant on the palate, with immediate freshness, a fruity punch, herbaceous notes and sharp acidity that supports the freshness throughout as well subtle saline notes on the finish.

Versatile with sea food, also great with sushi or even mushrooms.

Nolan - Text from the Spotlight on White Wines of Spain Blog

Is there a better place to start a blog about Spanish white wines than with Albarino? Grown in the North West of Spain and Northern Portugal, where it is called Alvarinho and is a regular contributor to the country's Vinho Verde wines. Albarino has been getting much press and critical attention in recent years and for good reason, it is fantastic!

Spain’s best Albarino’s, such as this beauty from Pazo Senorans, come from Rias Baixas in Galicia. Rias Baixas is right on the North-western tip of Spain. Here, it is wet and blustery, fully exposed to the wild Atlantic. The name “Rias” itself is derived from the word for a coastal inlet which is the main topographical feature that defines the region.

95% of Rias Baixas’ vineyards are planted with Albarino. The success of Albarino in this region is owed to the influence of the Atlantic Ocean. High rainfall, up to 1800mm per year, alongside mists and sea fogs contribute to a cool climate. These are the perfect conditions for producing grapes that are wonderfully crisp with such mouth-watering acidity. Despite its affinity for this damp climate, some adjustments needed to be made within the vineyards to optimise grape growth. A key adjustment is in the use of pergola training systems. Pergola training involves growing the vines canopy high, with the grapes hanging down below. This increases air circulation, reducing the risk of rot in the grapes, very important in such wet climates! An added bonus of the Pergola system in the rough, rugged and hilly climate of Rias Baixas, is that the land beneath the vines can still be used for other agriculture such as sheep farming or for growing other crops.

Pazo Señorans is one of DO Rías-Baixas’ leading producers with vines planted close to the sea on acidic, sandy soils. This is the “entry” level wine from the vineyard but the quality is anything but entry level, you don’t need to take my word for it, here is what respected wine critic Tim Atkin has to say about it;

Tim Atkin, Rias Baixas Special Report - 93 Points

“One of those widely distributed Albarinos that I'm always happy to find on a wine list, this is made with a mixture of purchased and home-grown grapes, all of them from the Val do Salnés. Described by Ana Quintela as a "jovial" expression of the variety, it has a touch of natural spritz, jasmine and white pepper aromas and a classic palate of lime, peach and aniseed spice.” - 2026