2009 Godello, DO Bierzo, Bodega Luna Beberide

Bierzo is located in North West Spain, half way between coastal Galicia and Rueda. It should come as no great surprise therefore, that its fashionable white variety, Godello, borrows certain characteristics from both Albarino and Verdejo…..indeed some maintain that it has borrowed the best of each and is thus the most noble of the three.

Be that as it may, there is no doubt of the quality of the family run Bodega Luna Beberide, which farms over 70 hectares, much of it at altitudes of up to 750 metres, its soils made from decomposed slate and calcerous clay. The vines are 60 years old and the yields, at 25 hl/ha, are impressively low.

This translates into a textured wine, with a slightly oily feel, yet a firm citric and grapefruit backdrop, augmented by notes of honey which resulting from  9 months of lees ageing. Beeswax, quince and lanolin complete the picture.  This is a fine wine to accompany the fish course.
(Simon Field MW, BBR Buyer)