Rafael Palacios As Sortes 2018

Drink now or cellar for up to 9 years. Serve chilled.

Rafael Palacios is the brother of Alvaro Palacios, one of Spain’s most famous winemakers, and it is clear that he shares Alvaro’s immense talent. Rafael works his magic in Spain’s north-western corner of Valdeorras not far from the Portuguese border. Conditions here are perfectly-suited to the Godello grape with Rafael’s vines planted on steep terraces that yield tiny quantities of intensely-flavoured fruit. In total he has some 20 plots scattered across the region including some vines of up to 100 years old.

As Sortes is Rafael’s flagship wine and is crafted from old Godello vines which range between 40-96 years old. The must is fermented using naturally-occurring yeasts in 500-litre French oak vats and the young wine is then kept on the lees for six months to add a creamy texture and extra complexity.

The result is a precisely-balanced wine with a rich full body, smooth mouthfeel and intense stone fruit flavours with hints of toasted almonds and walnuts. Powerful yet elegant, this masterful Godello is a great partner for creamy fish or chicken dishes and can also be served with risottos, pasta carbonara or pork chops. It will also continue to age and develop over the next decade or so.