100% Albariño from 60- to 100-plus-year old vines in five of Xurxo’s oldest granitic sand parcels • zero oak— spontaneously fermented in tank and raised there for 18 months on the fine lees • unfined, unfiltered, minimal SO2 at bottling • an arroba is an old liquid volume measure which in Galicia equaled 14.5 liters, ergo ’69 arrobas’ refers to 1000 liters, or the production size when Xurxo began making the wine in 2014 (production is now around 4000 liters) • year in, year out one of the top cuvées in the entire Rías Baixas appellation
Info
Producer:
Vintage:
2022
Country:
Spain
Region:
Galicia
Appellation:
Rias Baixas
Variety:
Albarino
Color:
White
Sizes Available
| Full Bottle | ES-ALB-30-22 | 12/750ml |
Resources
Press & Reviews
Tim Atkin, MW
Score
97
Date
2024-12-16
"Albari¤o doesn't get much better than this. Sourced from five parcels in Barro, Castrelo,Noalla and Xil, three of which are over 100 years' old, this is a stainless steel-fermentedAlbari¤o that bears the imprint of its granite soils. Energetic, focused and salty, it has thetexture of a 2022, layers of wet stone, petrichor, lime and beeswax and a long, tapering finish.2025-32"
James Suckling
Score
96
Date
2024-11-19
"A briny albarino with subtle aromas of sea breeze and limes. The palate is strict with a subtle roundness that makes the wine approachable. First time this underwent malolactic fermentation. Drink now."
Wine Advocate
Score
96+
Date
2025-07-24
"The 2022 Sesenta e Nove Arrobas, always among my favorite whites from Rías Baixas, feels young and undeveloped, despite being the oldest Albariño in the current range. It has a bright, almost fluorescent yellow color and a very expressive nose, with notes of lees and smoky, white flowers, wet rocks and lots of herbs and is nuanced, complex and elegant. It has a round and seamless palate, with no signs of ripeness or heat. The mouthfeel is austere, serious and mineral, finishing with a chalky sensation of fine granularity. 5,960 bottles produced."
REVIEWS FROM PAST VINTAGES
Wine Advocate
Score
97
Date
2023-11-16
"The 2021 Sesenta e Nove Arrobas is young, primary and sharp, incredibly intense and lively after spending some 20 months with the lees. There is a lot of energy here. It has notes of freshly cut grass, flowers and a faint smokey/leesy sensation. This is one of my favorite Albari¤os, and this vintage has a long life ahead of it in bottle. Amazing! 5,600 bottles were filled in June 2023."
Decanter
Score
96
Date
2023-02-28
"A brand I first sampled as part of the tasting menu at Can Roca restaurant in Girona, Sesente e Nove Arrobas is consistently among R¡as Baixas' elite. Five different granite-located parcels, three of them more than 100 years' old, are the source of this pure, taut, perfumed, super saline white, which has layers of pear, beeswax and lime juice, steely minerality and a focused, mouth-watering finish."
Wine Advocate
Score
96
Date
2023-11-16
"I was very pleasantly surprised by the quality, complexity, power, nuance and elegance of the 2020 Sesenta e Nove Arrobas. It's produced in the same way, from the same five plots of old vines, kept with fine lees in stainless steel for some 20 months. The wine feels super complex and approachable, with superb balance and complexity, perfect for current drinking. But it should also develop nicely in bottle. I was expecting a slightly heavier wine, but this is exceptionally fresh. Bravo! 4,900 bottles produced. It was bottled in June 2022."
James Suckling
Score
95
Date
2024-11-18
"This has honeyed fruit with the characteristic caramel notes of albarino. The palate is vertical, nervy and tense. A unique wine driven by acidity and a very unique and characteristic tension. Drink now or hold."
Vinous
Score
93
Date
2025-03-11
"The 2021 Albariño 69 Arrobas, from Castrelo, Salnés, Rías Baixas, made from over-100-year-old vines, skips malolactic fermentation and spends 20 months on fine lees in stainless steel. This wine reveals expressive and reductive notes of white fruit, apple and nutty nuances, from the lees. It presents a delicate yet broad and vibrant palate with saline character and slightly compact length."