Winemaker Notes
Aromas of flint, wet stones, and Asian pear. Tension and saltiness on the palate, balanced by bright acidity.
Pairs well with sardines, sea bass, and cheese.
Professional Ratings
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Vinous
Pale yellow-gold. Expressive pear, nectarine and lemon peel qualities on the fragrant nose, which is complemented by chalky mineral, chamomile and ginger nuances. Sappy, mineral-driven orchard and pit fruit flavors stain the palate and take on floral and spice accents as the wine stretches out. Rich yet vibrant in character, finishing very long, chewy and focused, with repeating florality and a lingering mineral note.
Godello is native to northwest Spain and has experienced a major revival in the last 20 years. Godello wines are typically sleek and lightly creamy in texture. Barrel fermentation and lees stirring are typical in Valdeorras, Spain where the grape comes from. These winemaking techniques make the most of Godello's inherent structure and help bring out its lovely floral character. Somm Secret—DNA profiling says that Spain’s Godello is actually identical to the Portugese grape variety Gouveio, which grows throughout the Douro and Dão (where it used to mistakenly be called Verdelho).
One of the few northwestern Spanish regions with a focus on a red variety, Bierzo, part of Castilla y León, is home to the flowery and fruity Mencia grape. Mencia produces balanced and bright red wines full of strawberry, raspberry, pomegranate, baking spice, pepper and black licorice. The well-drained soils of Bierzo are slate and granite.