2023 Bodegas Vetus Alba de Vetus Albarino

Alba de Vetus Albariño 2023 is a refined, coastal white from Rías Baixas that captures the Atlantic freshness and precision the region is famous for. Crafted by Albariño specialists Lalo Antón and Vanessa Pérez, this wine focuses on elegance, tension and purity rather than sheer ripeness. As a relatively new member of the Vetus family (first released with the 2020 vintage), it already stands out as one of the estate’s most expressive and finely balanced whites.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2023 Alba de Vetus shows a pale straw-yellow hue with subtle greenish highlights that signal its youth and freshness. The nose is clean and inviting, opening with white peach, pear and crisp apple, then unfolding into hints of citrus zest, wild herbs and a touch of saline minerality that recalls sea breeze. On the palate, this is a focused and vibrant Albariño with a moderate, very civilized alcohol level (around 12.5%) and beautifully lifted acidity (6.7 g/L, pH 3.4). Juicy notes of white stone fruit and orchard fruit are wrapped in an elegant, linear structure, supported by a chalky, almost graphite-like minerality. The finish is long and precise, with delicate balsamic and herbal hints that add complexity without heaviness. While already delicious now, the strong acid backbone and balance suggest it will develop even more nuance over the next 2–4 years, gaining texture and complexity with short-term cellaring.

Production
The grapes for Alba de Vetus Albariño 2023 come from carefully selected parcels in O Rosal, one of the most prized subzones of Rías Baixas, close to the Atlantic and influenced by both ocean and Miño River breezes. The vines, planted around 20 years ago, grow in soils rich in limestone and graphite, which contribute to the wine’s tension, minerality and precision. Situated at 100–150 meters above sea level with a northwest exposure, the vineyards benefit from slower, even ripening that preserves acidity and aromatic delicacy. The Albariño grapes are hand-harvested and meticulously sorted, then destemmed to ensure purity of fruit. Fermentation and élevage are conducted in a way that emphasizes freshness and varietal character, resulting in a clean, expressive wine where the natural balance between fruit and acidity takes center stage.

Food & Serving
This Albariño is a natural companion to seafood and coastal cuisine: think oysters, mussels, grilled prawns, octopus, ceviche and simply prepared white fish. It also pairs beautifully with sushi, fresh goat cheese, tapas with olives and anchovies, and light vegetable dishes such as asparagus or artichoke salads. Serve well-chilled at about 8–10°C to highlight its freshness and aromatic detail. Decanting is not necessary, but opening the bottle 10–15 minutes before serving and allowing it to warm very slightly in the glass will help the herbaceous and balsamic nuances emerge.

Producer
Bodegas Vetus is part of Grupo Artevino, a respected Spanish wine group with estates in several key DOs, including Toro, Rueda and Rías Baixas. While Vetus first established its reputation with characterful reds from Toro, the project has evolved to explore other regions and varieties, always with a clear focus on expressing origin and balance. The name ‘Vetus’ is derived from the Latin veto–vetare, meaning ‘forbidden’ or ‘not allowed’, reflecting the estate’s original ambition to push boundaries and challenge expectations. In Rías Baixas, the team led by Albariño specialists Lalo Antón and Vanessa Pérez has quickly gained recognition for crafting precise, Atlantic-influenced whites that showcase the finesse of O Rosal’s terroir and highlight the group’s commitment to quality across Spain’s most dynamic regions.