Castro Ventosa (Raúl Pérez) Valtuille Godello 2020

94 points Luis Gutiérrez (Wine Advocate): “There is a little more oak in the 2020 Valtuille Godello, because they purchased some new 500-liter oak barrels and that’s a difference with the 2019. The destemmed grapes were pressed without any maceration, and the juice fermented in 500- and 700-liter French oak barrels where the wine matured with the lees and without bâtonnage for one year. This bottling is a selection of the best barrels, and the rest goes to the blend for the El Castro de Valtuille. It’s a little flinty and smoky, a little à la Bourgogne, with some balsamic notes, round and complete, with very tasty flavors and great balance. It’s a little riper than the 2019 I tasted next to it, but it also feels deeper and just one step above in everything. This might be the finest white produced here so far. 1,500 bottles produced. It was bottled in November 2021. Drink: 2023-2027. (Jan 2022)”

Producer notes: “Godello is often compared to Chardonnay and is said to ‘combine the structure of white Burgundy with the finesse of a juicily mineral grape’ (Jancis Robinson). Whole cluster pressed, fermented in 500-liter barrels. Some barrel aging. Color: Bright yellow. Nose: Flowery with some citrus and a slight hint of oak. Palate: It is tasty and focused, white fruits with some spice, great minerality. Food Pairing: It will pair very well with tarragon chicken, clam chowder, or even quail or fish such as cod, halibut or clams. This is a great alternative to Chardonnay, very Burgundian in style.”