"...one of the finest white wine producers in Galicia and in Spain"  (LG) The Wine Advocate on Rafael Palacios

We have a beautifully fresh and intensely salty white from Galicia to offer to you, due in time for the height of summer:  2024 Louro do Bolo Godello, Rafael Palacios.  From vineyards close to part of the route of the Camino de Santiago, this is one of the most saline white wines we have tasted, giving it an inherent freshness and making it a great partner for seafood.

Since founding his eponymous winery in 2004, Rafael Palacios has become one of Spain’s best producers of white wine, with 32 parcels of Godello, spread over 19.5 hectares in the Val do Bibei in Valdeorras, Galicia. 

This rocky, stony landscape is covered with sandy soils, derived from decomposed granite, limiting vine vigour.  The vines are at elevations of 580 - 720 metres above sea level (not far off the height of the average Lake District fell!), with a very marked diurnal variation of temperature, and a long growing season, encouraging the development of complex flavours.

The hills are so steep that most of the vineyards are planted on terraces buttressed by stones. Rafa’s viticulture is sensitive to the fragile nature of these old terraces, and he has adapted his approach to ensure the structures are preserved. His viticulture is low intervention, with some of the older plots (or ‘sortes’ in Galician) being farmed biodynamically.

 ‘Louro do Bolo’ is made from small parcels of Godello with an average age of 25 years, grown at over 600 metres above sea level. The juice is fermented in 35-hectolitre French oak foudres, after which the wine is aged on lees for four months before bottling.

No critics' scores have yet been released for the 2024, but recent vintages have been awarded 93+ points by The Wine Advocate.

  Please reply now to reserve your case.

Offered in bond, available early August 2025.