Pedra do Cribo Albariño 2018

Albariño is “Spain’s best white by miles,” according to critic Matthew Jukes. But with demand outstripping supply, you’ll have to act fast to taste Pedra do Cribo Albariño.

Norrel Robertson, a Master of Wine and winemaker (below), was born and raised in Scotland, but he’s lived in Spain for years. His aptly named winery, El Escocés Volante (‘The Flying Scotsman’), has earned major international recognition and produces award-winning wines from Galicia to Andalucia.

He crafted this classic Albariño from grapes hand harvested in the premium Rías Baixas district of O Salnés. After a gentle crush, he allowed half of the juice to go through malolactic fermentation, adding further complexity and a smooth mouthfeel. He then aged the wine sobre lias (aka sur lie in French) for a generous 24 months, layering even more creamy complexity into your glass.

Named for the prehistoric Celtic carvings that dot the vineyards in Spain’s northwest corner (as well as Norrel’s native Scotland), Pedra do Cribo is an elegant white that displays terrific balance of fruit character and mouthwatering vibrance. Intense notes of lemon curd, peach preserves and honeysuckle greet you on the nose. Then waves of intense stone fruit (apricot, nectarine) and tropical fruit (green mango) mingle with a trademark salty tang and a smooth texture on the palate. “I wanted to make an Albariño which stands out in terms of its purity and freshness that also has the capacity to age gracefully in the bottle for 5-10 years,” says Norrel.

Mission deliciously accomplished, Norrel. And we’re not the only ones who think so—Guía Peñín, a top Spanish wine guide, has rated Pedra do Cribo 91 points.