2018 Zarate Albarino

I tasted two vintages of the entry-level eponymous Albariño, and the 2018 Zárate feels like one of the most complete vintages in recent times. It's a wine of great freshness, despite what the analysis might say, with a sharp and vertical palate with marked granite, a very mineral and saline vintage. It has citrus and floral notes and a long finish. There's only about one-third of the volume with malolactic, and the balance between acidity and roundness is amazing. Truly balanced. And amazingly enough, this is the largest volume ever. Quality and quantity! They planted some new vines (two hectares) that came into production in 2018, so this is all from their own vineyard. 80,000 bottles produced.