Pazo Señorans: Crafting Different Shades of Albariño Wines in the Rias Baixas Region
Pazo Señorans, ensconced amid the verdant landscapes of Galicia, Spain, harmoniously reticulates history, tradition, and innovation. Set within the walls of a 16th-century ancestral house, this estate stands as a testament to the region's rich cultural heritage, offering a glimpse into the past while embracing modern winemaking techniques in diverse vinifcation methods of its only grape cultivation, the celebrated Albariño.
Founded by Marisol Bueno and Javier Mareque, Pazo Señorans has since become a cornerstone of the Rias Baixas appellation, renowned for its exceptional Albariño wines. Their story starts in 1979 when the couple bought the 16th century manor with eight hectares of land. Initially, they focused on cultivating and selling grapes until 1989, when they transitioned into operating a full-fledged winery, bottling their own wines. Their winery produces exclusively Albariño wines, showcasing the intriguing characteristics of aged varieties, although many prefer the region's youthful styles.
Today, the legacy of this esteemed winery is carried forward by their children, Marisol, Vicky, Javier, and Santiago, who remain dedicated to upholding the family's commitment to quality and excellence since their first vintage in 1989. The family's vineyard holdings now span 22 hectares, with an additional 30 hectares farmed through 110 local families.
At the heart of Pazo Señorans lies a deep reverence for the land and its bounty. The estate's vineyards, carefully cultivated over the years, yield grapes of unparalleled flavor and complexity, thanks in part to the unique granitic soil of the region. Oenologist Ana Quintela, entrusted with the task of crafting these exceptional wines, works tirelessly to showcase the inherent character of the Albariño grape, emphasizing its distinctive nuances and terroir-driven expression.
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| Oenologist Ana Quintela |
With each vintage, Pazo Señorans strives to create Albariño wines that are a true reflection of their origins, capturing the essence of the Galician landscape in every bottle. From vibrant young wines to those aged to perfection, each offering embodies the winery's unwavering commitment to quality and authenticity.
Beyond winemaking, Pazo Señorans is dedicated to advancing the art and science of viticulture. Through ongoing research and development initiatives, the estate collaborates with industry experts to explore new techniques for vineyard management, sustainability, and environmental stewardship. By embracing innovation while honoring tradition, Pazo Señorans remains at the forefront of Spain's thriving wine industry, setting a standard of excellence for generations to come.
As you wander through the grounds of Pazo Señorans, you are transported back in time, surrounded by the timeless beauty of centuries-old architecture and verdant gardens. Whether savoring a glass of Albariño in the elegant villa or exchanging vows in the intimate chapel, you can experience the magic of this storied estate firsthand.
Soil and Vineyards
Soil and vineyards play a pivotal role in shaping the character and quality of wines, and at Pazo Señorans, this relationship is carefully cultivated to produce exceptional Albariño wines. The vineyards, spanning across various locations within a ten-kilometer radius near the sea, are meticulously tended to ensure optimal grape development. Situated in the Salnés Valley and Rías Baixas heartland, the vineyards thrive on shallow, acidic sandy soils and decomposed granite, providing unique flavors and excellent drainage. The vines are meticulously tended, trained on trellises for optimal ventilation, and monitored using satellite technology and sensors.
One of the defining features of the vineyard terrain is the presence of xabre, a subsoil resulting from the decomposition of granitic rock. This unique soil composition, combined with the environmental climatic conditions of the region, contributes to the distinctiveness of the grapes. The xabre soil's excellent drainage capacity ensures that the vines receive just the right amount of moisture, fostering healthy growth and allowing the roots to delve deep into the earth in search of nutrients.
Furthermore, the diversity of soil types, characterized by their poor, acidic, and loose sandy nature, imparts a range of flavors and aromas to the grapes. These individualistic soil profiles, coupled with the proximity to the sea, imbue the grapes with a fresh, aromatic character that is emblematic of the Rias Baixas appellation.
In addition to winemaking, Pazo Señorans also boasts a tradition of distillation, producing their own spirits using time-honored Galician methods. The process involves double distillation over an open flame in copper stills, resulting in spirits of unparalleled purity and depth of flavor.
Overall, the symbiotic relationship between soil and vineyards lies at the heart of Pazo Señorans' winemaking philosophy, where each element harmonizes to produce wines that are a true reflection of their terroir and the dedication of those who tend to the land.
Wines
Pazo Señorans D.O. Rias Baixas 2022
Manually picked Albariño grapes, pellicular maceration before fermentation in stainless steel vats at a controlled temperature with refinement in steel for a minimum of 5 months on the lees. A vibrant pale straw yellow wine resonating fruity and floral aromas reminiscent of white flowers and crispy pears and apples with hints of fresh herbs. Very good acidity in the mouth with a long finish. To be enjoyed young until a couple of years in the bottle.
Pazo Señorans Colección D.O. Rías Baixas 2020
Manually picked Albariño grapes, pellicular maceration before fermentation in stainless steel vats at a controlled temperature with refinement in steel for a minimum of 5 months on the lees. Afterwards, there was a further refinement in the bottle for 30 months before its release to the market. Straw yellow in color with an intense and complex nose depicting territorial characteristics with notes of crushed stones, potpourri, dried roses, and citrus fruits while in the mouth, it has good balance, elegance and roundness with notes of ripe yellow stone fruit with good acidity, and a whisper of bitterness. Persistent in the end and will continue to evolve beautifully in time.
Tras los Muros D.O. Rías Baixas 2020
Manually picked Albariño grapes, fermented and aged in oak barrels of second to third passage for 8 months and 15 months in the bottle. This crianza wine of limited production (3093 bottle produced) was signed by the daughter of Marisol Bueno, Berta García, an oenologist who has gained experience in French cellars such as Château Haut-Brion and Château Louis Latour, before joining the family winery. Complex in the nose, there is integration of creamy oak aroma in the nose with ripe notes of tropical fruits, nuts and dried flowers while the palate reveals oak and nutty flavors with pronounced acidity. This wine is meant to stay longer in the cellar to be enjoyed as it ages.
Pazo Señorans Selección de Añada D.O. Rías Baixas 2012
Obtained from manually picked Albariño grapes from 100-year old vines trained in Pergola training method in a single plot. Fermentation and aging in stainless steel vats for 32 months on the lees then a further 6 years in steel with no contact with oxygen then bottled in April 2021. On the nose, it boasts of its complexity with notes of tangerine peel, citrus, quince jam, passionfruit, crushed granite and hint of smoke while the palate is charged with bright acidity with ripe yellow stone fruits. This is a vibrant and very complex wine that exudes a great hand in the cellar that will continue to evolve wonderfully in the next 5 to 10 years.
Pazo Señorans
Address: Lg, Rua Vilanoviña, 36616 Paradela, Pontevedra, Spain
Tel: +34 986 715373
Website: www.pazodesenorans.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PazoSenorans