Somehow cooperatives developed a bad reputation. While it is certainly true that cooperatives can make mediocre wine, it is also true that estates can be guilty of the same crime. It’s not the nature of the business that determines quality, but what happens in the vineyard and cellar. Burgans is a custom Albariño cuvée made for European Cellars by Martin Codax, the largest cooperative in Rías-Baixas. Founded in 1985 by about 50 families with small plots of Albariño around the village of Cambados, it has grown to include almost 600 families and well over 3000 small parcels of Albariño.
With such a vast array of sites and with so many individuals involved, Martin Codax has invested in a team of viticulturist who make regular visits to the vineyards to educate the members on proper farming techniques and sustainable practices including the use of cover crops to fix nitrogen in the sandy, granitic soils. They host a daily radio broadcast in the region as well, to encourage best practices and they pay their members based on the quality of their fruit, not the quantity. All the vineyards are located in the Salnes sub-zone of the appellation – the coolest and most humid of the regions within Rias-Baixas.
In the cellar the wines are fermented and aged in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks to preserve the freshness and bracing acidity that is typical of Albariño grown in Salnes. Each vintage several experimental fermentations are conducted to understand the minor variations of site, the role of natural yeasts, the length of elevage and the applicability of different fermentation vessels. All of these experiments are used to improve the quality of the wines with each successive vintage.
Val de Burgáns pays homage to the Val do Salnés, heart of the Rías Baixas region, surrounded by sea and nature, where tiny vineyards plots dot the landscape. This bucolic and temperate region of Green Spain is the inspiration for a wine that captures the uniqueness of this maritime terruño. Cool and humid Atlantic breezes and granitic sandy soils combine to create the perfect combination for a generous and vibrant style of Albariño. Only the best plots with a traditional emparrado training system, optimal sun exposure, and naturally low-vigor vines are selected by hand for this cuvée. To complement this wine’s richness and tensile acidity, it is aged for 7-8 months in a large French oak foudre.
Specs
Varietal: Albariño
Location: Spain, Rias Baixas
Soil: Granitic sand
Elevation: 10-150 meters
Farming: Sustainable
Age of vines: 20+ years-old
Fermentation: Hand harvested, natural yeast fermentation in foudre
Aging: 7-8 months in a French oak foudre, vegan
Alcohol: 13%
What’s Included
4-bottles:
4x - 2020 Val De Burgans Albariño, Rias Baixas, Spain
Case:
12x - 2020 Val De Burgans Albariño, Rias Baixas, Spain
Bodegas Martín Códax was founded in 1985 thanks to a group of 50 winegrowers who recognized the potential of the Albariño grape and created an ambitious collaborative project. Today, that initial dream has become a reality, bringing together more than 500 winemaking families, all committed to the quality of our wines and sustainability. Since then, the winery has been producing wines that reflect the essence of Galicia, while also working to support and promote our culture, establishing itself as a true symbol of Galician wines.
Bodegas Martín Códax is in Rías Baixas, at the heart of Val do Salnés, in the town of Cambados (Pontevedra). This region, located on the Atlantic coast of Galicia, is known for its moderate climate and granite soils, making it an ideal terrain for viticulture. The winery’s name pays tribute to Martín Códax, a celebrated 13th-century Galician troubadour whose work reflects a deep connection to the land, the sea, and Galician culture.
Available States
AL, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Feel - Smooth, almost creamy or oily. Some acidity but not as crisp or sharp as I would expect an Albariño to be.
Taste - Initially pear dominates with some grapefruit - I thought a slight aftertaste I couldn’t identify - a minerality I think. Wife thought it had more bite at the end.
We had it with nuts, soft & medium cheeses with crackers and later with a light salad & ham. The wine didn’t seem to enhance or detract but went down easily. I think it might pair better with spicy foods (Thai) but circumstances prohibited us from trying that.
Overall, we thought it was an enjoyable, easy-drinking Albariño. No significant faults other than a smoothness and maturity I didn’t expect.
Val De Burgans Albariño
2020 Val De Burgans Albariño, Rias Baixas, Spain
90 Points, Decanter
Specs
What’s Included
4-bottles:
Case:
Price Comparison
not for sale on winery website, $588/case MSRP
About The Winery
Available States
AL, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Estimated Delivery
Monday, Nov 9 - Tuesday, Nov 10
2020 Val De Burgans Albariño
4 bottles for $74.99 $18.75/bottle + $2/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $169.99 $14.17/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
Rat Report - Val De Burgans Albariño:
Color - Golden or yellow, darker than I expected.
Nose - Pear & maybe some apple, but muted.
Feel - Smooth, almost creamy or oily. Some acidity but not as crisp or sharp as I would expect an Albariño to be.
Taste - Initially pear dominates with some grapefruit - I thought a slight aftertaste I couldn’t identify - a minerality I think. Wife thought it had more bite at the end.
We had it with nuts, soft & medium cheeses with crackers and later with a light salad & ham. The wine didn’t seem to enhance or detract but went down easily. I think it might pair better with spicy foods (Thai) but circumstances prohibited us from trying that.
Overall, we thought it was an enjoyable, easy-drinking Albariño. No significant faults other than a smoothness and maturity I didn’t expect.
Thanks, Terry, for the Rat opportunity.