2006 Castelo de Papa Valdorras Spain. $7.00 a glass at Endless Vine, Franklin Lakes. Imported by Ole Imports, New Rochelle, NY. 100% Godello.
Light straw yellow color, light hue, wonderful aromas of apples, pears and minerals, very good fruit and minerals tastes, firm acidity, medium mouth feel, velvety, long finish, with the fruit giving way to the minerals. This wine worked great with a few salty pretzels, and I'm sure it would be an excellent match with a salty fish. It would great fun to have a taste off against a good Albariño. 4*.
Notes:
Distributor: http://www.oleimports.com/
Producer: Ladera Sagrada
DO: Valdeorras (Zone # 1) Climate: Atlantic
Grape: 100% Godello (25 + year old vines in 2006)
Soils: Slate, Granite and Clay on its subsoil with 15% slopes
Production: 1,800 Cases made – 950 for the U.S.
Wine Maker: Jose Sotos
Ageing: Stainless Steel, no malolactic fermentation.
The Papa label shows what is called an Horreo. An hórreo is a granary built in wood or granite stone, raised from the ground by pillars ending in flat stones or "tornarratas", to avoid the access of rodents. Ventilation is allowed by the grooves in its walls. Hórreos are mainly found in Northeast Spain (though there are also in other Northern villages).
Wines from Spain: A high quality, very aromatic grape. Native to Galicia, new planting has been encouraged in the last few years, especially in Valdeorras DO. It is considered a main variety in Valdeorras and Bierzo DOs.