2021 The Messenger Albariño, Vinho Verde, Portugal
Tasting Notes
Grown along the River Minho in northern Portugal where it is known as Alvarinho, this crisp, romantic and refreshing white wine is bursting with complex fruit flavors. The freshness of this wine is enhanced by the wonderful silky texture. Joyous while young, this wine will develop wonderful complexities if allowed to age in the bottle for a few years. Your choice!
The Messenger
Like words, wine can convey many meanings. The complexity of our wine comes from embracing the art of blending… layering vintages, vineyards & varietals to obtain luscious flavor. The result is a thousand stories, but only one message… Enjoy our wine for what it is, an expression of the land that grew it and the hands that have touched it.
The Story
As a child growing up in Australia, Rob would accompany his dad to one of the local wineries where they would ‘go around the back’ and find a designated barrel of Port wine with a unique chalk mark. Once the barrel was identified they syphoned the Port into their 5-gallon container. Doing this required sticking a hose in the barrel, sucking on it until the Port started flowing and then jamming the hose into the container without drinking or spilling too much. Rob figures his first taste of Port was probably around the age of 10, courtesy of this syphoning hose. Once the container was filled, they would hand some cash to the cellar guy and return home to carefully decant the Port into a selection of small barrels. To this day, Rob’s 94-year-old father still keeps a small barrel of Port at the ready to share with friends.
Rob’s fascination with Port grew from these early experiences and evolved into a love of Portugal’s famed Vintage Ports and eventually triggered a visit to Porto. Now, he was expecting the Ports to be glorious - and they were. The big surprise was how good the dry table wines were. Screamingly good white and red wines that were also very reasonably priced.
Kat and Rob discovered a small family farm growing grapes and making wine in both the Douro region near Porto and the Vinho Verde region further north. Standing out among their varied offerings were the Alvarinho (Albariño) and Touriga Nacional. The family has an unusual arrangement with another customer that prohibits us from using their name, which is a shame. However, the story of the Portuguese family and their wines took Rob back to his childhood and reminded him of the family his Dad would buy Port from. In every way, these wines are an expression of the land that grew them and the hands that have touched them.
Specs
Varietal: Albarino/ Alvarinho
Region: Vinho Verde
Alcohol: 13%
What’s Included
6-bottles:
6x 2021 The Messenger Albariño, Vinho Verde, Portugal
Case:
12x 2021 The Messenger Albariño, Vinho Verde, Portugal
It started 20 years ago with an opportunity to work for a craft brewer in Western Australia. Showing up in Australia with a degree from the University of California, a good work ethic, and a “can do” spirit was the perfect combination of the right place-right time. After three years down under, Kat moved back to the US, and her husband, Australian Rob McDonald quickly followed.
They founded Old Bridge Cellars and began importing the legendary Australian wines they both loved…d’Arenberg, Jasper Hill, Yarra Yaring, Leeuwin Estate. Along the way, Kat took a break and went to law school, they planted vineyards in both Australia and the Napa Valley and began making their own wines including the eponymous named Mak.
In 2008, they founded Art+Farm Wine in Napa. Art+Farm is home to their single vineyard wines the girls in the vineyard, their outrageous blends-The Messenger, and their true varietals: Circadia.
Kat and Rob live in Napa with their two children and an odd looking creature that is supposed to be a dog. Kat is a little obsessed with her heritage breed chickens and the eggs they lay and also her bees. Rob is obsessed with compost and growing the perfect tomato. Both are huge proponents of dry farming and see water as the single biggest factor in the future of agriculture.
Available States
CA, CO, DC, FL, GA, IL, MA, MI, MN, MO, NH, NJ, NY, NC, OH, OK, OR, PA, TN, TX, WA, WI
Brief lab rat report! I’m on the move, packing for a brief holiday overnight. Anyway, as usual, my tasting was with charming Leo, who I will once again explain is The Red Wine person in our household. I am The White Wine person, though we both have exceptions to that!
We tasted this at near room temp, and chilled. “Room temp” here right now is in the mid 60’s, because it’s unusually cold in northern California. They don’t do central heat or insulation here. It’s chilly all the time. NATURALLY CHILLED WHITE. Oh, yay.
So, Leo’s tasting notes:
Nose: Distinct notes of apple and orange. Slight earth/mineral note. Palate (refrigerated): Subdued. Immediate note of pear. Not sweet, not dry. Hint of tart at the finish. Flavors improved at room temperature. Will not compete with your meal.
My notes: Initial apple and fruit nose. No hint of effervescence on the tongue. “Youthful” light taste, balanced tending to dry. Pale color. Super easy to drink! My sadness is that it’s cold here and the wine I really want right now is red and mulled, not white and summery. If we weren’t saving right now, I’d want at least a half case to put away for spring and summer.
So, I liked it a lot, and Leo was not that into it. Like I said, The Red Wine person.
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations).
2021 The Messenger Albariño - $40 = 26.67%
@ArtFarmWine thank you for jumping on here. Curious about your business model. Are you similar to a negociant? I assume the wine is bottled overseas then shipped to the States?
@losthighwayz thanks for the question. We are a small, Napa winery and make some wines from grapes. Some we buy extra bulk wine from friends and finish it with oak or whatever it needs prior to our own blending and bottling. In the case of the Albarino, we finished off the wine and bottled it in Napa. The cab we make from Australia, we bottle in Australia - just depends on what makes the most sense for a given situation
TA 6.07; pH 3.54; RS 4g/L(not detectable by most palates). When I think of zippy acidity, it takes me to a bracing/ minerally/ citrusy type of acidity found in some great Riesling for example. This wine is not that extreme. There is a magical balance between the texture, flavor and acidity that almost never happens with a wine at this price.
This is a very bright young wine. Hint of pear in smell and taste, light grape and subtle citrus and mineral notes. Definitely not sweet, but not too dry. It is a very light, smooth sip without any cloying undertones you might see from a white. It goes well with most traditional white wine pairings in cheese and crudités and would not overpower a meal. We think this would also pair well with a good fish.
We had it chilled. This would likely be an excellent wine to cool you down on a hot summer’s day. Although we couldn’t hang onto it to let it age, the bottle is probably correct in that it will age well - so getting it now and waiting for the summer months would only improve its nuances. As the bottle warmed the flavors opened up, but it pleasant to enjoy either way.
This is very different from most offerings that we’ve seen on the site, and so its nice to see a change-up here.
The bird bath is frozen, as is the garden hose, still, I like the crisp whites anytime. The other Messenger offerings were pretty good. A few for now, the rest for summer.
/giphy spectacular-enjoyable-snowball
@kitkat34 thanks for the nod on the Adelaide Hills Cab. I’m obviously biased, but I love Cab that still tastes like Cab, rather than an over-ripened generic red. Keep a lookout for the 2019!
Jana and I are headed to Portugal on a wine club river cruise on the Douro in November 2023 with Tauck cruise lines. So, need to taste more Portuguese wines. I’m in.
@pmarin I brought a bottle with me to CA to visit my brother as he was taking me along to a blind wine tasting of … Albarinos! This guy had assembled some top notch examples, and Albino Rhino got high marks. Granted, IIRC, it was a blend with SB? (been a while)
OK had to go for a case, now that I know I almost missed the opportunity. Or is it just FOMO? But truth is I have not yet met an Albarino I didn’t like. Or even a Rhino, though I think the only Rhino I ever saw was on the Jungle Cruise at Disneyland (the original real Anaheim one)
2021 The Messenger Albariño, Vinho Verde, Portugal
Tasting Notes
The Messenger
The Story
Specs
What’s Included
6-bottles:
Case:
Price Comparison
$288.00/Case for 12x 2021 The Messenger Albariño, Vinho Verde, Portugal at Art + Farm Wine
About The Winery
Available States
CA, CO, DC, FL, GA, IL, MA, MI, MN, MO, NH, NJ, NY, NC, OH, OK, OR, PA, TN, TX, WA, WI
Estimated Delivery
Monday, Jan 2 - Tuesday, Jan 3
2021 The Messenger Albariño
6 bottles for $74.99 $12.50/bottle + $1.33/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $109.99 $9.17/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
No IA, so sad.
Their SB was solid. Ordered it twice. Labrats? The case pricing looks enticing
SE MI split? I would like 4-6 of these babies
Brief lab rat report! I’m on the move, packing for a brief holiday overnight. Anyway, as usual, my tasting was with charming Leo, who I will once again explain is The Red Wine person in our household. I am The White Wine person, though we both have exceptions to that!
We tasted this at near room temp, and chilled. “Room temp” here right now is in the mid 60’s, because it’s unusually cold in northern California. They don’t do central heat or insulation here. It’s chilly all the time. NATURALLY CHILLED WHITE. Oh, yay.
So, Leo’s tasting notes:
Nose: Distinct notes of apple and orange. Slight earth/mineral note.
Palate (refrigerated): Subdued. Immediate note of pear. Not sweet, not dry. Hint of tart at the finish. Flavors improved at room temperature. Will not compete with your meal.
My notes: Initial apple and fruit nose. No hint of effervescence on the tongue. “Youthful” light taste, balanced tending to dry. Pale color. Super easy to drink! My sadness is that it’s cold here and the wine I really want right now is red and mulled, not white and summery. If we weren’t saving right now, I’d want at least a half case to put away for spring and summer.
So, I liked it a lot, and Leo was not that into it. Like I said, The Red Wine person.
@TrinSF any thoughts on the acidity? I enjoy crisp whites with zippy acidity. Hoping this fits the bill
Loved previous “The Messenger” offerings we purchased. Love Albariño. Love the case price.
Check
Check
Check
/giphy frosted baked frost
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations).
2021 The Messenger Albariño - $40 = 26.67%
Inexpensive Portuguese Albariño delivered to my door? Yes, please. Never thought I would see this varietal on Casemates… but glad I am.
/giphy compassionate-thankful-lore
/giphy merry-angelic-jelly
Anyone in San Diego down to split a case?
Rob here from Art Farm Wine - will be checking through the day if anyone has any questions
@ArtFarmWine thank you for jumping on here. Curious about your business model. Are you similar to a negociant? I assume the wine is bottled overseas then shipped to the States?
@losthighwayz thanks for the question. We are a small, Napa winery and make some wines from grapes. Some we buy extra bulk wine from friends and finish it with oak or whatever it needs prior to our own blending and bottling. In the case of the Albarino, we finished off the wine and bottled it in Napa. The cab we make from Australia, we bottle in Australia - just depends on what makes the most sense for a given situation
@ArtFarmWine do you mind sharing the specs? Ph, TA, oak, if any and RS? Also, would you say this has zippy acidity? Thank you
@losthighwayz
TA 6.07; pH 3.54; RS 4g/L(not detectable by most palates). When I think of zippy acidity, it takes me to a bracing/ minerally/ citrusy type of acidity found in some great Riesling for example. This wine is not that extreme. There is a magical balance between the texture, flavor and acidity that almost never happens with a wine at this price.
@losthighwayz oh, and no oak
about The Messenger Albarino, that is
Sorry for the late post!
This is a very bright young wine. Hint of pear in smell and taste, light grape and subtle citrus and mineral notes. Definitely not sweet, but not too dry. It is a very light, smooth sip without any cloying undertones you might see from a white. It goes well with most traditional white wine pairings in cheese and crudités and would not overpower a meal. We think this would also pair well with a good fish.
We had it chilled. This would likely be an excellent wine to cool you down on a hot summer’s day. Although we couldn’t hang onto it to let it age, the bottle is probably correct in that it will age well - so getting it now and waiting for the summer months would only improve its nuances. As the bottle warmed the flavors opened up, but it pleasant to enjoy either way.
This is very different from most offerings that we’ve seen on the site, and so its nice to see a change-up here.
@imshadow22 thoughts on the acidity? I enjoy crisp whites with zippy acidity. Hoping this fits the bill. Thank you
@losthighwayz It is a very crisp white with some acidity. It feels very clean.
@cduan split??
@bunnymasseuse sure!
@cduan I’m good to split 6&6 or more if you are super thirsty for more!
The bird bath is frozen, as is the garden hose, still, I like the crisp whites anytime. The other Messenger offerings were pretty good. A few for now, the rest for summer.
/giphy spectacular-enjoyable-snowball
@stolicat the 614 Adelaide Hills Cabernet was delicious. I passed when it was here but got ONE in the mystery case : )
@kitkat34 thanks for the nod on the Adelaide Hills Cab. I’m obviously biased, but I love Cab that still tastes like Cab, rather than an over-ripened generic red. Keep a lookout for the 2019!
Anyone in the Denver area looking to split a purchase?
@ldelvecc where abouts? I’m in Littleton, so perhaps.
Why are white wines never approved for CT? Every time I see a white wine that I would buy, CT is not on the list.
@ctviggen where in CT are you? I am in the Bronx and if you’re in Fairfield County we could do a case split.
/giphy gratifying-frostbitten-outing
Any chance more cases will be offered? Looks sold out rn
@tkchicago What he said! I ordered a 6, but would have gone for the case.
@winedavid49 Please make more cases available, I have a coupon code to use up, yay!
@kitkat34 @winedavid49 agreed!!! More plz!
@bunnymasseuse @kitkat34 cases coming!
@kitkat34 when the case was sold out I ordered the 6 pack-now that more is available is it possible to change to a case?
@dianefreda @kitkat34
Within a limited time window, yes.
Cancel and reorder.
Beyond that, unlikely; unfortunately.
Jana and I are headed to Portugal on a wine club river cruise on the Douro in November 2023 with Tauck cruise lines. So, need to taste more Portuguese wines. I’m in.
@ScottHarveyWine Happy Saturday! How did you like this Albarino?
Yeah, cases are back!!!
/giphy hopeful-shimmering-caroler
/giphy bright-tranquil-coal
/giphy chilly-jiminy-sneeze
/giphy glittering-kind-firewood
If I hadn’t already spent too much on wine this month… but thumbs up on the offer!
I still fondly remember the Bodegas M and Bodegas Paso Robles Albarinos offered on the old site. Hopefully this one will come around again.
/giphy mirthful-yummy-trail
MERRY CHRISTMAS! Almost
memories of Albino Rhino
@woopdedoo fond memories indeed. I remember it won a tasting by amateur wine tasters (friends of my wife).
Fear the Rhino? if this lives up to it, that would be great. If not, could it say “don’t blame the Messenger?”
@woopdedoo that was a fun one!
@Winedavid49 @woopdedoo
Looking at CT, quite a few remain in cellars of some well known woofers too…
@pmarin I brought a bottle with me to CA to visit my brother as he was taking me along to a blind wine tasting of … Albarinos! This guy had assembled some top notch examples, and Albino Rhino got high marks. Granted, IIRC, it was a blend with SB? (been a while)
@pmarin @woopdedoo
Harvest Date: September 23, 2009
Varietal: 88% Albariño 12% Riesling
Total Acidity: 0.63g/100ml
pH: 3.41
Alcohol: 13.7%
Residual Sugar: 7.02 g/l (dry)
Brix at Harvest: 23.4˚Brix
@woopdedoo I keeping the label alive in the winos fantasy football league!
Maybe someday we will get “Albino Rhino 2: The Grape Stompening!”
@pmarin @rjquillin Yes indeed - Riesling. Quite tasty - of course I love Riesling.
OK had to go for a case, now that I know I almost missed the opportunity. Or is it just FOMO? But truth is I have not yet met an Albarino I didn’t like. Or even a Rhino, though I think the only Rhino I ever saw was on the Jungle Cruise at Disneyland (the original real Anaheim one)
/giphy flashy-radiant-merrymaking
