2020 Gaba do Xil, Godello, Telmo Rodríguez, Valdeorras, Spain
Critics reviews
2020 was a warm year with an early harvest and isolated frost the night of March 27th that resulted in a ripe 2020 Gaba do Xil Branco. Mostly Godello from red clay and slate soils, it fermented with indigenous yeasts and was kept with the lees for some four months. It was harvested 20 days earlier than the 2018 to avoid overripeness of the grapes, because Godello can get too heavy when too ripe. They managed to keep the freshness and the varietal character here, with subtle aromas of herbs and white fruit. The palate is medium-bodied, with a velvety mouthfeel. 118,560 bottles produced. It was bottled in May 2021.
Drink 2021 - 2023
Luis Gutiérrez, Wine Advocate (Aug 2021)
About this WINE
Telmo Rodriguez
Telmo Rodriguez is one of the great Spanish winemakers. He travelled and learnt for many years before returning home to Rioja. In addition, he supervises négociant projects throughout Spain. One of his most acclaimed projects is in Ribera del Duero.
The charismatic Telmo has something of the prodigal about him, having now returned to his Riojan homestead to energise the great house of Remelluri. One should not overlook, however, his other properties, which explore some of the lesser-known areas of Spain and in each case seek to make superlative and characterful wines. Ribera del Duero is far from a lesser-known area, so it is to Telmo’s great credit, but to no-one’s surprise, that the wines he makes at Matallana are amongst the very best here too.
Godello
Godello is a white grape variety primarily found in northwest Spain and northern Portugal. The grape is capable of producing very fine white wines, and it is in the Valdeorras region that its greatest successes are seen, leading to a steady increase in plantings there. Bodegas Rafael Palacios (managed by the brother of Spain’s leading winemaker Alvaro Palacios) has been the driving force behind the revival of the grape.
In Jancis Robinson MW words' "Godello combines the structure of white burgundy with the finesse of a juicily mineral grape".
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Description
2020 was a warm year with an early harvest and isolated frost the night of March 27th that resulted in a ripe 2020 Gaba do Xil Branco. Mostly Godello from red clay and slate soils, it fermented with indigenous yeasts and was kept with the lees for some four months. It was harvested 20 days earlier than the 2018 to avoid overripeness of the grapes, because Godello can get too heavy when too ripe. They managed to keep the freshness and the varietal character here, with subtle aromas of herbs and white fruit. The palate is medium-bodied, with a velvety mouthfeel. 118,560 bottles produced. It was bottled in May 2021.
Drink 2021 - 2023
Luis Gutiérrez, Wine Advocate (Aug 2021)
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