"...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.
| WHITE | 2024 | Rafael Palacios - Louro do Bolo Godello | 75cl | £198 per case of 12 | Rafael Palacios Louro do Bolo Godello 2024 / / 75cl £198 per case of 12 |
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Tasting NotesWhite flowers and heraceous aromas, bay leaf, thyme, chamomile, citrus zest and some balsamic notes on the nose, which is very intense. Equally intense on the palate with lovely acidity, but it's the super-fresh flavours of bitter citrus, herbs and salinity on the finish that give this such tremendous energy. RKL------"80% sourced from estate vineyards. Fermented in 3,500-litre foudres ranging from 1 to 15 years old. Aged for 4 months in foudre without bâtonnage. 210,000 bottles produced. Remarkable precision on the palate, with both opulence and salinity. Delicate mineral notes, fluid and elegant. Subtle hints of quince, chalk, and crystalline purity. An exceptionally refined vintage. It’s astonishing that such beauty can be achieved at a scale of 210,000 bottles. Drink 2025–2040. 17.5 points" jancisrobinson.com (FC)------"...a balsamic, herbal and faintly medicinal nose (it does smell a little of bay leaf, which is what "louro" means in the Galician language!), quite aromatic. It fermented in 3,500-liter oak foudres, where the wine matured with the lees for four months. It doesn't lack ripeness; it comes in at 14% alcohol but retains good freshness and acidity. It's approachable and has a tender texture...93 points." (LG) The Wine Advocate, Jul '24 |
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