Loureiro grape??

Anybody ever had any wine from this Portugese grape?? Usually blended into Albarino in the RiasBaxas. Michael Meagher got some of this last year for OldCreekRanch, where he's the winemaker, from a young SantaYnezVlly vnyd.
Tom

I've had two varietal Loureiros, one a Vinho Verde and the other a special bottling from Rías Baixas. Interesting grape for sure.

• 2006 Quinta do Ameal Loureiro Vinho Verde - Portugal, Minho, Vinho Verde (2/20/2008)
  100% Loureiro from Ponte de Lima. A delicate nose of pear, minerals and some herbaceousness. Dry, light but forceful, very lively and mineral, almost metallic. A fantastic wine for the price.
• 2005 Adegas Valmiñor Rías Baixas L 100 - Spain, Galicia, Rías Baixas (8/19/2007)
  100% Loureiro. The nose had pear-like fruit and nice minerality. The palate was quite full bodied, but had lovely, juicy acidity and a strong mineral presence. Long. A very nice white, but I find that Valmiñor's Davila (a blend of Albariño, Loureiro and Treixadura) is a more complete wine (and much cheaper also!) because all of its components fall effortlessly into place, while this one shows beautifully what it brings to the blend, but doesn't have that effortless grace. A very nice wine on its own, but great when blended.

Posted from CellarTracker

New one to me, Tom... I don't think I've ever seen one at Vintages here in Ontario.

The owner of a Portuguese wine store told me that the 100% Alvarinho vinho verdes are more expensive than those cut with Loureiro, but the "locals" tend to prefer the latter.

We tasted two varietals in Lisbon in January:
2006 Foral da Rainha Loureiro Vinho Verde 11.5%
Muted nose, but rich mouth flavors, floral and peach. Good weight, in a demi sec style, nice bitter finish but needs more acidity.

2006 Foral da Rainha Loureiro Seco Vinho Verde 12.0%
A dry version of the preceding. Muted nose, with some citrus. Good weight, correct acid/sweet balance, decent finish. Our choice for the evening.

"but the "locals" tend to prefer the latter"

No way, José!

"but the "locals" tend to prefer the latter"

No way, José!

I should have been clearer: the wine store is in New York and the owner was referring to his Portuguese customers.