Tinto y Blanco » Godello

Telmo Rodriguez Gaba do Xil 2008

Dave Worthington — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 00:25:19 +0000

I am developing a bit of a soft spot for Godello. I have always liked it, but there have a been a few recent example that have really delivered, both in the interestingness and drinkability factors. Its one of the lesser known grape varieties from Spain, often over shadowed by Albariño and Verdejo. I find it more exciting than verdejo and more versatile than albariño in it’s ability to give a good refreshing drink while matching with a wide range of foods. It seems to go very well with Thai food and is excellent with goats cheese for some reason.

Valdeorras is a very striking place too, very hilly and rainy. There are some great photos on the Temlo Rodriguez website. In fact I think they might have the best photos of any wine website I’ve seen…Anyway, hopefully I’ll get a chance to have a quick look around here when I’m back in Spain in February.

This version from Compania del Vinos de Telmo Rodriguez is looking very raw at the moment (this is a good thing), there is some clear power there, but the classic pears, freshly cut hay and a touch of guava and hot wax are all there. Very robust and tight for a white wine, kind of like white burgundy in structure, but nothing like it in flavour. Crunchy minerals and an acid laden finish. A little fleshy, the texture is silky and fine. I’ve not had an aged godello, but this looks like it has the goods to go for at least 5 years…90Pts

Source: The Spanish Acquisition Price: $28 Closure: Conventional Cork

Web: www.telmorodriguez.com

Other Vintages: 2005, 2006

Val de Sil Montenovo Godello 2006

Dave Worthington — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 20:00:09 +0000

I had a glass of this at Movida a couple of weeks ago and really liked it, so I got a bottle in. If you're used to the more oily palate of many of the Godellos around, you won't find it here. Don't worry you won't miss it. Montenovo is made from 15 year old vines on the estate as well as some bought in fruit. Fermentation and a couple of months of aging is done stainless tanks then bottled. The result is quite modern, but still Godello and very Spanish.

The nose is clean and fresh with pears, peach, lemon, and damp herbs. That palate is nicely focused with a smooth tangy acid showing tangy lemon, pear and pineapple with a touch of clove and spice. Fleshy in the mouth, but not oily as I expected. A very long finish leaves tangy lemon and minerals in your mouth. A stunning wine for the price. 89 Pts.

Source: Boccaccio Cellars Price: $22 Closure: Conventional Cork

Web: www.valdesil.com

Telmo Rodriguez Gaba do Xil 2006

Dave Worthington — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 01:39:25 +0000

Godello is a grape that I have come to really like. It's perfect for situations where you want something a little bit different, not too serious. Personally, I'd much rather drink this than most viognier or pinot gris based wines. Where these other two seem to be either unsure of themselves or outrageous, Godello is quietly confident and solid. Dependable. I'm not sure how well it would do in Australia, perhaps we should just leave it to the Spanish….

Quite pale in colour, with a good nose of pineapple, white peach, a hint of jasmine and fennel. As with a lot of these whites from north west Spain, there is a really enjoyable silky/oily texture that matches well with the acid . In the mouth it shows more pineapple, apricot, and highlight of cantaloupe. Medium length finish. This just confirms my high opinion of this grape and style. 89 Pts.

Source: The Spanish Acquisition Price: $23 Closure: Conventional Cork

Telmo Rodriguez Gaba do Xil 2005

Dave Worthington — Thu, 25 Jan 2007 21:48:57 +0000

Valdeorras is a couple of hours inland from Rias Baixas and it where the Godello grapes for this wine are grown. Its not a particularly well known region outside of Spain, and Godello isn't exactly a mainstream grape either, but I can see a real future for it from the handful of wines I've seen so far. Generally they're well textured, great aromatics and flavour profile with just the right level of acidity to drink with food. I'm not sure if the stars and planets had aligned or maybe I was just in the mood for a good, but this was a cracking wine on the night.

Very pale in colour with aromas of roasted pineapple, peach, melon, honey and small white flowers. Beautiful texture in the mouth, oily and silky with plenty of acid. It feels and tastes like it should be sweet, but its quite savory. Pineapple, apricot, peach and melons, even a bit of watermelon, in the mouth. Quite a long finish, the texture keeps me coming back for more. 91 Pts.

Source: The Spanish Acquisition Price: $22 Closure: Conventional Cork