Rafael Palacios : Sorte Antigua 2023

Characteristics and tasting notes for Rafael Palacios' Sorte Antigua 2023

Tasting

The tasting reveals a beautiful texture on the palate, with remarkable depth and great complexity. The wine retains a certain elegance throughout, avoiding any character that might come across as overly rustic.

Rafael Palacios' authentic expression of terroir in Valdeorras

The estate
Founded in 2004 by Rafael Palacios, the current owner and sole director, this estate is located in the Val do Bibei sub-region in Galicia. Patiently built up plot by plot, the vineyard now spans 24.5 hectares. Rafael Palacios' relentless efforts have driven the revival of the native Godello grape variety. Farmed organically and partly biodynamically, the estate stands out for its obsessive pursuit of authenticity and its absolute respect for terroir. This meticulous approach has established the estate as a world reference for great Spanish white wines.

The vineyard
This wine comes from the estate's oldest plot, located within the Valdeorras appellation. The management of these historic vines is aimed above all at preserving the authentic expression of the place and the typicity of its soil.

The vintage
The year began with a mild, rainy winter. Budbreak occurred at an intermediate pace, spreading from mid-April to early May depending on the plot. Spring was mild with moderate rainfall, followed by a summer that was also mild but rather dry, with very little rain. Fortunately, moderate rainfall during the second week of September allowed for an ideal completion of ripening, particularly phenolic maturity. Overall, this mild and slightly dry vintage, rescued by late rains, achieved excellent quality.

Winemaking and aging
For the Sorte Antigua 2023, the estate's most traditional wine, fermentation takes place with skin contact. This winemaking method gives the wine a distinctive texture, depth, and great complexity. The aim of this vinification is to faithfully preserve the character of the place and the soil, while carefully avoiding an overly rustic profile.

Grape variety
100% Godello.