Lapola, Dominio do Bibei

Note:

Apparently made with a majority of Godello, supplemented with Albarino, Dona Blanca and Treixadura. A friend has frequently commented that Godello often starts well – but has a hole in the middle, like a doughnut ! This, does not ! Indeed, it has pretty much everything I look for in a white wine to be honest, with vibrant, racy acidity to the fore, but a layered, creamy texture giving body and weight. Some ageing on the lees, one would think ? The attack is mineral and bright – not so unlike a white Burgundy perhaps, as is the mid-palate where you find orangey ripe citrus and a lovely waxiness, but just when one could be tempted to think this is a French classic, you meet with a hint of herb – almost shiso – something green and bright and intriguing that you can’t quite pin-point – instead of the ubiquitous smokiness of oak. Utterly lovely. And cheap. I was transported to a stony terrace high above the Mediterranean with the wind blowing through. Bracingly beautiful. (This is their upmarket / limited production white wine by the way – their other cuvee, ‘Lalume’, made from 100% barrel-fermented Treixadura I felt was nice enough….but not that special)