Forjas del Salnes "Leirana" Albarino 2024
(Rias Baixas, Spain) - [WA 94+] [JS 94] [VM 94]

About the Winery:
This humble garage winery came to life in 2005 when vineyard owner and winemaker Rodrigo Mendez began to revitalize a little piece of Galician history that was quickly fading. Red wine in Rías Baixas was the way of the land back in the early 1900s. In the 1970s, when surrounding farmers were uprooting their less productive, less desirable red grapes in favor of planting increasingly popular Albariño grapes, the Mendez family, who owns and operates 'Do Ferreiro' - an old-guard Rias Baixas producer, was planting them. 

It all began in the early 2000s when Rodri's mission became clear: to execute his grandfather’s lifelong dream of grafting and replanting the nearly extinct, ancient coastal red vineyards in Val do Salnes and craft noteworthy, less commercial whites. As a native son of the region, his local knowledge and connections have proven very useful in locating and securing the rights to farm some very old plantations of Albariño, many of which had been previously abandoned. The Albariños at this address have very little in common with the fresh and vivacious but ultimately one-dimensional wines that constitute the majority of the category.

About the Wine:
This Albariño is grown on vines planted between 1952 and 1982, rooted in pure granite soils with rocky and alluvial top layers just 5 meters above sea level—ideal for producing wines of precision, minerality, and freshness. Fermented naturally and aged in 70% neutral foudre and 30% stainless steel, it is a wine of power, elegance, and unmistakable salinity. With no malolactic fermentation, it retains a vibrant acidity that makes it a natural match for oysters, scallops, and the classic Galician dish, pulpo gallego. Consistently rated 93–94 points by top critics, it stands as a benchmark for Albariño on the world stage.

About the Winemaker:
Rodrigo Méndez of Forjas del Salnés—known locally as Rodri—is a fifth-generation winemaker and one of the world’s most respected Albariño producers. Working in Val do Salnés, the most coastal subzone of DO Rías Baixas (an appellation founded by his grandfather), Rodri crafts over 15 small-batch wines that reflect the region’s diverse micro-terroirs. His organic, low-intervention approach includes native yeast fermentation, extended lees aging without bâtonnage, minimal sulfur, and manual harvesting from ancient vines trained in the traditional Parral system. He also leads efforts to revive nearly extinct local red varietals, honoring his family’s deep-rooted legacy.

Ratings and Reviews

94+ Points - Wine Advocate:
"The 2024 Leirana, which represents the character of the Salnés Valley through different vineyards and locations in a fresh and Atlantic way, is the intro to the 2024 vintage, a year with good ripeness. The wine reached 13.4% alcohol, meaning full development of aromas and flavors, while keeping notable acidity and freshness, showcased by a pH of 3.23 and 7.8 grams of acidity. The nose is harmonious and young but quite expressive of freshly cut grass, flowers and sea breeze. The destemmed grapes were pressed, then the juice was left to settle and ferment with indigenous yeasts in stainless steel (20%) and oak foudres, and then it matured for eight months. It has an intense and pungent palate with granite minerality, a fine thread of acidity going through its core and with a salty twist in the finish. This year, it has a little bit more of everything. It was bottled in June 2025, a mere few days before I tasted it, yet the wine felt relaxed." - Luis Gutierrez (Jul 2025)

94 Points - James Suckling:
"The palate is tight and saline, medium- to full-bodied, with characteristic coastal salinity and almond bitterness that adds definition. Exceptional quality. Drink now." (Dec 2025)

94 Points - Vinous Media:
"The 2024 Albariño Leirana is from Salnés, Rías Baixas. This aged in stainless steel and foudre. It opens with linden, acacia and floral aromas, with hints of spice and peach. The palate is saline, slender and lively, with freshness and subtle complexity. This finishes with a touch of ginger cookie and a granitic texture typical of Salnés. The 2024 is complex and refined." - Joaqui Hidalgo (Sep 2025)