Description

We discovered this brilliant Albarino when we visited Uruquay and Bodega Bouza (“BO Za”) in January of 2025.   Uruguay is mostly known for its Atlantic coast beaches, beef and more beef, and the darkly colored, full-bodied Tannat variety which was transplanted from southwestern France (Madiran) by French immigrants in the 1860s when phylloxera devastated their homeland. 

Even though Uruguay, which is only about the size of Nebraska, has 200+ wineries, very little of the wine is actually imported to the USA market, as most is consumed by the Uruguayans, and the rest by nearby Argentina, Chili and Brazil.  Many will recognize the name Bodega Garzon which is the largest and arguably most successful wine company in Uruguay. 

This is extremely successful Albarino comes from cuttings belonging to the family’s rural plots in Riaxas Baixas in Galicia, Spain.  The grapes are sourced from colder, less exposed blocks in Bodega Bouza’s limestone-clay estate vineyards Melilla and Las Violetas. The wine is full of brisk cleansing acidity, lemon-lime citrus, and saline-like minerality.  The handpicked grapes undergo a short and partial maceration in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks (90%) and French oak barrels (10%) where the wine is aged on the lees for an additional 4 months.  No fining agents are used.   Bring on the oysters and shell fish!

Pale yellow color, with golden highlights. Aromas of peach and white flowers, pineapple and pear.  Swirling the glass, one finds apple and pineapple fruit with vanilla and slight caramel notes with  cleansing acid providing balance into the long finish.