Notes
An elegant Godello with almost three years of ageing, first in stainless steel with its fine lees, then in the bottle for one year.
Graciously round and fresh, with citric and floral notes, showing a pleasant balance with subtle acidity, complex and spicy.
An excellent white with mouth-filling volume and a very long finish, great to pair with oysters, clams, fish in all preparations, tartare of tuna, sushi and sashimi, or any rice-based dishes, including paella.
This is a rare Godello wine, proving that with sustainable viticulture, very careful grape selection, and ageing on fine lees, light white wines can mature and improve in the bottle over quite a long time.
The Godello grape variety is native to Galicia, mainly planted in the Valdeorras and Monterrei areas, and is the third most planted in Ribeiro, after Treixadura and Palomino. It is also common in El Bierzo (province of Leon). It seems it was initially planted in the 12th century in Galicia although some ampelography studies say that the grape variety originated in the area of Godella in the province of Valencia (Southeast of Spain).
"El Ciclohome" in Galego - the local language spoken in Galicia - means "The man on the bicycle". It is said that in the mid 18th century there was a man, commissioned by The Vatican, to ride his bicycle in search of the best local wines in parts of Galicia, which he would then bring back to the Monastery of San Clodio (in Leiro, Ourense) where the monks selected the best wines to be sent to the clergy in The Vatican.
Facts
Annual Production: 3,950 bottles (The club has access to 250 annually)
Type: Blanco (White)
Body: Light
Palate: Dry
Finish: Smooth & Long
Grape Variety: 100% Godello
Viticulture / Farming: Sustainable - Terroir Driven
ABV%: 13.0
Ageing: 18 months in stainless steel on fine lees, and one year in the bottle
Winemakers: Paula Míguez (viticulturist) and Luis Miguel Fernández
Bodega: Auténticos Viñadores
Region: Galicia, province of Ourense
Designation of Origin (DOP): Ribeiro (Esposende, Province of Ourense, Galicia)
Micro-Climate: Mild Continental/Atlantic, humid and cool
Elevation: Average 130 meters above sea level
Age of Vines: Over 30 years old
Soil: Granite and clay
Tips
- Drink now or keep for up to 6 years
- No decanting necessary
- Pairs well with aperitifs, salads, poultry, pasta or pizza, shellfish, especially oysters and clams, grilled or cooked fish, sushi and sashimi, Mediterranean and Asian rice-based dishes spiced but not hot.
- Ideal slightly chilled
Terroir
The Designation of Origin (DO) Ribeiro is the third oldest in Spain, after Rioja and Jerez.
The region is located in the Northwest of the province of Ourense, in Galicia (Northwest of Spain), and comprises the valleys formed by the rivers Miño, Arnoia and Avia. The DO covers about 30 square Km and the surface of planted vineyards is about 1,200 Hectares.
This viticultural area has a long tradition of producing and exporting wines.
The soils are mainly granitic, and the climate is humid and temperate, with average yearly temperatures between 14 and 15 Celsius and a high average annual rainfall (around 950 mm). This Godello comes from a vineyard that breathes history and tradition, in Esposende. A vineyard with south-west orientation and over 30 years of age.
Vinification
The grapes are hand-picked during the second half of September. Grape selection is done in the vineyards and by hand in the winery. Lightly macerated and pressed with fermentation in stainless steel vats at a controlled temperature, followed by 18 months of ageing on its fine lees in stainless tanks, and almost 24 months of maturation in the bottle.
Winemaker
Paula Míguez learnt everything she knows as a "Viñadora" (viticulturist) from her father, who in 1980 began bottling high-quality wine from the family vineyards in Rias Baíxas and Ribeiro.
Today, Paula pampers her old vines, she’s very strict when it comes to grape selection and is only satisfied with the very best bunches. She lovingly gives her heart and soul to the vines, and they give back. Paula knows this is the best tribute to her father, her land, and her roots.
Auténticos Viñadores (Authentic Viticulturists) was created by Luis Miguel Fernández, Albae’s sommelier and an expert winemaker; working with artisanal viñadores across various Spanish wine regions. This rare and unique Godello is a collaboration between Luis Miguel and Paula in Ribeiro.
Ratings
9.6/10 Luis Points - Note: Luis Miguel Fernández has established his own rating and categorization method and is now a well known independent wine reviewer in Spain.
