2020 Bodegas Rafael Palacios Godello Valdeorras Louro do Bolo

Community Tasting Notes (12) Avg Score: 88.8 points

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  3/29/2024 - kuumies wrote:

  Very strong lemon oil character on the nose with notes of toasted bread, yeast and popcorn reduction. Rather nice! On the palate it has some volume, viscosity and warmth (14%) but somehow it manages to make it all work. The solid acidity certainly doesn’t hurt, ditto the salinity. Indeed this has a distinctly salty feel about it and a delightful lip-smacking finish. There is firmness to the mouthfeel akin to some finer white Burgs. It is eminently pleasurable and gourmand too. Long finish is rather spicy but not hot. Great style and quality!

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  12/23/2023 - Mondarin Likes this wine: 92 Points

  Excellent wine.
  
  Pale gold. Aromas and flavors of apples, peach, wet stones, with a touch of lactic/milky/ creamy sensations.
  
  Dry, Med + acid, high alchol (14+%), med+ body, med+ intensity, med + length.
  
  Tastes cool climate but its still rich with ripe fruit condition. There is some gentle exposure to oxygen here, and the high alcohol and lees work give this an extra dimension of body/ texture.
  
  This wine had the richness/ heft and and also agility and cleansing acid to handle a diverse table of Filipino foods (pancit noodles, bistec, chicaron bulaklak, braised pork belly) really well. A very nice lateral to a Russian River Valley Chard or Village Cote de Beaune.

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  6/20/2023 - Hi.its.Don.4.Wine Likes this wine: 92 Points

  About Every Three Years
  
  Staring in 2016, I wrote about a previous vintage of today’s wine. Then again in 2019, I could not constrain myself from again reviewing a newer vintage of the same wine. I’m about six months late in adding another rung on the ladder concerning this wine. In my defense, I should point out that my previous reviews were for the 2015 and 2017 vintages, meaning I should have been reviewing the 2019 and not 2020 (hence the lag time).
  
  What wine piques my curiosity on this continuing basis? The:
  
  Rafael Palacios Louro Do Bolo Valdeorras Godello 2020
  
  Focusing on Godello, the vineyards are all on the western edge of Valdeorras in higher elevations, in soil comprised of granite, and using biodynamic and organic viticultural practices. This wine, their entry-level, is produced from younger vines, fermented in 35 hl foudres, and aged on the lees for 4 months before bottling.
  
  What emerges every time I drink this wine is the wonderful tropical fruit, citrus, and minerality around taught acidity. That shouldn’t surprise me as that can be similar to my fav, Sauvignon Blanc.
  
  Their next level is their As Sorte, which is made from older vines and spends more time in French Oak. I haven’t had that one in years, I only remember comparing the wine to a Grand Cru Burgundy. Just the thought makes me want to go on a hunting exposition.
  
  This wine comes highly recommended, especially for those that like Sauvignon Blanc or a nice crisp Chablis. After all, if I keep drinking it, it must be good!
  
  Cheers

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  5/22/2023 - StewartWent wrote: 89 Points

  I'm being slightly stingy on the rating. WOTD at Auterra in Armidale. Seemed oak on the nose (sweet vanilla) but defo not the case in the palate. Some tropical fruit richness and minerals late. Great midday drop.

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  5/13/2023 - edog22 Likes this wine: 87 Points

  Mild golden color. Stonefruit, mineral, a little green grass, hint of smoke. Good acidity, medium finish. Quite pleasant

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