Bodega Castro Martin (Spain) Albarino Family Reserve 2005
The Martin family has been at the forefront of the wine revolution that has swept Galicia in the last two decades. Founded in 1983, the company was one of the first to vinify the indigenous Albarino with modern techniques and equipment. Angela Martin has been winemaker since 1993, and is married to Englishman Andrew McCarthy who runs the marketing and export operations. The 7.50 Albarino’A20′ is delightfully fruity stuff, but this reserve is far more mineral and fine. There is a distinct salty minerality on the nose, with a whiff of seaside ozone, then no shortage of pure, clean, limpid white fruit aromas. The palate almost shimmers with tang and vibrancy, and though it has a steely precision, there is just loads of fruit too that has a peachy, pear-like quality backed up by a vivid streak of lemon and mineral acidity. Delicious stuff at 9.00 when bought by the half case from Bibendum.
