Since 1955, the Chaves winery has been a household name in the Rías Baixas appellation. They produce exquisite wines from varieties including the Albarino grape. It's a true family business that operates with great respect for nature. Castel de Fornos is the name of the winery's first vineyard and its first wine. Castel is a designation comparable to Grand Cru, an ideal location for winemaking, which the Chaves family has in Fornos, the town where the entire family story began.
The Albarino grapes for this Spanish wine come from the Castel de Fornos vineyard. The vineyard is situated on a hillside with soil composed of stone, granite, clay, and sand. The sea is just a stone's throw away, providing a pleasant breeze from the Atlantic Ocean. This helps to moderate the warm daytime temperatures. When the Albarino grapes are ripe enough, they are harvested entirely by hand and transported to the winery in small crates. Once arrived, they undergo rigorous selection and fermentation at a controlled temperature of around 16 degrees Celsius. Only the juice from the first pressing is used. The wine is then aged on lees for three months, which ultimately gives it its complexity and creaminess. Finally, the wine is aged for another three months in stainless steel tanks.
After aging, it's time to enjoy this beautiful white wine. First and foremost, the aromatic notes are clearly evident. We detect plenty of tropical fruit, such as pineapple and mango. But the wine also has a floral character with jasmine and orange blossom. This fruity character is also evident in the palate. A lively white wine with pleasant acidity. The finish has a slightly salty note, immediately tempting you to take another sip.
