Description
Raúl has gotten really really good at making Godello, having honed his focus over the past several vintages after first introducing this wine in 2014. To preserve freshness, they pick early, do no stirring on the lees, and do not encourage malolactic fermentation. The popularity and success of this wine has seen the production expand from its original single plot in Villafranca to include three other plots in Valtuille. As an intro to Godello from the sandy soils of Valtuille, this is a value hound no brainer. Like literally everything offered here, the value quotient is tremendous.
“The white 2019 El Castro de Valtuille Godello comes from three plots in some of the cooler vineyards in the village of Valtuille and Villafranca del Bierzo. It had a 24-hour maceration and then fermented in 225-, 500- and 700-liter oak barrels, where it matured with indigenous yeasts (like all whites here) for one year with the lees, topping the barrels up and without any bâtonnage. It was taken away from the barrels just before the following harvest. It’s balanced and fresh, with 12.5% alcohol and a velvety sensation on the palate. 5,000 bottles produced. There will be more in 2021 because they bought a large 1.2-hectare plot of Godello in the village. It was bottled in October/November.” 92+ Luis Gutierrez
