Rafael Palacios : As Sortes 2024

Characteristics and tasting notes of the As Sortes 2024 by Rafael Palacios

Tasting

Appearance
A pale yellow robe enhanced by delicate green reflections.

Nose
Sharp and highly fragrant, the bouquet unveils citrus notes such as lime and pink grapefruit, intertwined with reinette apple. It stands out with singular aromas of chestnut blossom, damp boxwood and subtle nuances of fresh pollen, all underscored by a wet-stone minerality and a discreet smoky touch.

Palate
The attack is precise, direct, fresh and taut. The mid-palate proves particularly structured, offering a surprisingly saline minerality that opens onto flavours of green coconut and chestnut. The initial freshness quickly gives way to a powerful and overwhelming structure, forcefully expressing the identity of the granitic soil. The finish lingers at length for more than 15 seconds.

Serving and cellaring

Although it can be enjoyed today, the As Sortes 2024 is a great wine still far from its full maturity. It boasts excellent cellaring potential and may be savoured until around 2036.

The pure expression of Godello in Galicia by Rafael Palacios

The estate

Founded in 2004 by Rafael Palacios, the current owner and sole director, this estate lies in the sub-region of Val do Bibei in Galicia. Patiently assembled plot by plot, the vineyard now extends over 24.5 hectares. Rafael Palacios's relentless work marks the rebirth of the native Godello grape variety. Farmed organically and partially biodynamically, the estate stands out for its obsessive quest for authenticity and its absolute respect for the terroir. This meticulous approach has elevated the property to the rank of a global benchmark for great Spanish white wines.

The vineyard

The grapes come exclusively from six small plots, known as sortes, located in Santa Cruz do Bolo on steep, north-facing slopes. Reaching over 680 metres in altitude, this terroir constitutes the highest area of the Valdeorras appellation. The vines, with an average age of 40 years, thrive on poor soils composed of pure granitic sand. This particular geology, combined with the altitude and the northern exposure, naturally limits yields to less than 30 hectolitres per hectare while encouraging a slow ripening of the berries.

The vintage

The year began with a mild winter marked by very heavy rainfall. Early budburst exposed the vines to frost during the cold April nights, affecting 15 to 20% of the vineyard and reducing production. After a mild spring with moderate rainfall, the summer proved gentle but particularly dry. Fortunately, moderate precipitation in early September made it possible to achieve ideal phenolic ripeness. These climatic conditions gave rise to a vintage of very high quality, offering a profile that is both fluid and slightly dry, considered the most radical to date.

Winemaking and aging

After meticulous manual harvesting, the bunches destined for the As Sortes 2024 undergo gentle pressing. The must then ferments spontaneously thanks to indigenous yeasts in 500-litre French oak barrels. Finally, the wine benefits from aging on fine lees for a period of eight months, carried out without any bâtonnage in order to preserve all the purity and minerality of the terroir without any excessive oaky imprint.

Grape variety

100% Godello