In the glass
Aroma: honey, candied lemon, beeswax, wet granite
Palate: preserved citrus, almond paste, saline mineral, long persistent finish
From the 1.4-hectare Cacheiro plot planted in 1965: extended ageing on lees, the prestige aged Albariño of the Barrantes range.
What it pairs with
-
Rodaballo a la espalda (whole grilled turbot)
Find rodaballo a la espalda (whole grilled turbot) on TableJourney →
Galicia's prized flatfish needs an aromatic Atlantic white with mineral grip: Albariño's flagship pairing on the coast. -
Foie-gras with quince
The 30-plus-month-on-lees Albariños have the texture, oxidative complexity and acid to handle foie without slipping into dessert territory. -
Caldeirada de peixe (Galician fisherman's stew)
The saffron-and-paprika broth and mixed white fish meet a lees-aged Albariño head-on: same sea, same body, same iron mineral edge. -
Tetilla cheese with quince paste
Galicia's mild raw-milk cow's cheese melts into Albariño's lemon-pith finish; the quince adds the bridge.
How to serve Pazo de Barrantes La Comtesse
Allow 35 minutes from open to pour.
- Open and decant. Open 30 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
- Serve at 10-12°C. Cellar temperature (10-12°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
- Glassware. Use a medium-sized white-wine glass: the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
- Pair with. Rodaballo a la espalda (whole grilled turbot), Foie-gras with quince, Caldeirada de peixe (Galician fisherman's stew). Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.
History
La Comtesse comes from the 1.4-hectare Cacheiro plot planted in 1965 at Pazo de Barrantes, with extended ageing on lees before release.
- 1965 — Cacheiro plot planted at Pazo de Barrantes
- 2008 — First La Comtesse vintage released
Facts
- Producer
- Pazo de Barrantes
- Grapes
- Albariño
- Classification
- DO Rías Baixas
- Oak
- Stainless steel, then 30 months on fine lees in stainless before bottling
- ABV
- 13.0%
- Price
- €55-90 at retail
- Drinking window
- 8-25 from vintage
- First vintage
- 2008
- Vegan
- Yes (no animal-derived fining)
Scores
- Tim Atkin 94 (2018 vintage, reviewed 2023)
Frequently asked about Pazo de Barrantes La Comtesse
What does Pazo de Barrantes La Comtesse taste like?
On the nose, honey, candied lemon, beeswax, wet granite. On the palate, preserved citrus, almond paste, saline mineral, long persistent finish. Structurally full-bodied, high acidity with a long finish. From the 1.4-hectare Cacheiro plot planted in 1965: extended ageing on lees, the prestige aged Albariño of the Barrantes range.
When should I drink Pazo de Barrantes La Comtesse?
Drink 8-25 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.
What food pairs with Pazo de Barrantes La Comtesse?
Rodaballo a la espalda (whole grilled turbot) is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Foie-gras with quince and Caldeirada de peixe (Galician fisherman's stew). Galicia's prized flatfish needs an aromatic Atlantic white with mineral grip: Albariño's flagship pairing on the coast.
Is Pazo de Barrantes La Comtesse vegan?
Yes: the producer documents no animal-derived fining agents in production, so the wine is suitable for vegan and vegetarian drinkers.
What grapes are in Pazo de Barrantes La Comtesse?
The blend is Albariño. The wine is classified as DO Rías Baixas.