Rafael Palacios Louro Godello 2023

Rafael Palacios Louro Godello 2023

 

Zoom Mouse over image to zoom
Rafael Palacios
Louro Godello 2023
  • Vintage : 2023
  • Country : Spain
  • Region : Galicia
  • Subregion :
  • Type : White
  • Style : Medium Bodied Aromatic Dry
  • Format : 75cl
  • Alcohol : 13,5°
  • Grappes : 94% Godello, 6% Treixadura

A benchmark expression of Godello, Louro captures the essence of Valdeorras, balancing minerality with vibrant fruit, depth, and texture.

Experts Score Vintage
RP Robert Parker 93 2023
WS Wine Spectator 92 2020
JD Jeb Dunnuck 93 2017
More information on wine critics and ratings

Region and Vineyards

Located in the heart of Valdeorras, Galicia’s easternmost wine-growing region, the vineyards of Rafael Palacios sit at elevations of 650 to 740 meters, where the rugged, mountainous landscape meets granite-rich soils. The Val do Bibei, an off-the-beaten-path subzone, is known for its steep, terraced slopes, demanding meticulous viticulture. Unlike the broader Valdeorras DO, which includes schist and limestone soils, Palacios’ vineyards are planted exclusively on decomposed granite, lending a precise mineral backbone to his wines.

The Godello vines, some nearing a century old, are a mix of head-pruned bush vines and younger trellised vines, depending on the terrain. The low-yielding vines and challenging climate—where frost and even late-spring snow are common risks—result in concentrated and expressive wines. Farming is organic in practice, reflecting a commitment to sustainability and respect for the land. The unique microclimate, with warm, dry summers and significant diurnal shifts, allows for slow, even ripening, ensuring complexity while retaining crisp acidity.

Winemaking

Louro is crafted primarily from Godello, with up to 10% Treixadura, a co-planted variety that adds additional aromatic lift and texture. The grapes are meticulously hand-harvested from select parcels in Chandoiro, Lentellais, Outardepregos, and Santa Cruz, showcasing some of the finest terroirs of the Val do Bibei.

Fermentation takes place in large French oak foudres, where indigenous yeasts are allowed to work naturally, preserving the wine’s pure, expressive character. The wine is then aged on its lees for four months, enhancing its rich texture and depth while maintaining freshness. The use of oak is subtle, imparting structure and roundness rather than overt flavors, resulting in a harmonious and balanced final expression.

Tasting Notes

  • Color: A luminous pale gold with greenish reflections, hinting at its freshness and vibrancy.
  • Aroma: Intense and layered, with citrus zest, ripe white peach, pear, and floral notes of acacia and chamomile, intertwined with a distinct flinty minerality.
  • Palate: A precise, elegant structure with a creamy, lees-driven texture, yet with a backbone of vibrant acidity and saline minerality. The fruit profile unfolds with green apple, lemon curd, and subtle tropical hints, leading to a long, stony, and slightly smoky finish.

Did you know?

The name “Louro” derives from the laurel tree, a reference to the surrounding landscape and the aromatic complexity of the wine. Rafael Palacios, the younger brother of the famed Álvaro Palacios (of Priorat’s L’Ermita fame), has been instrumental in reviving Godello’s reputation, proving it can produce world-class wines akin to the great whites of Burgundy.

Wine Pairing Ideas

  • Galician-style Pulpo a la Gallega – The wine’s minerality and bright acidity complement the tender, paprika-seasoned octopus, highlighting both the dish’s smokiness and brininess.
  • Grilled Sea Bass with Lemon Butter – The creamy texture and citrus notes of Louro balance beautifully with the succulence of the fish and richness of the sauce.
  • Mushroom and Truffle Risotto – The lees-aged roundness and subtle oak influence enhance the earthy umami flavors of truffle and mushrooms.
  • Manchego Cheese with Marcona Almonds – The wine’s acidity cuts through the aged Manchego’s nuttiness, while the slight saline notes pair exquisitely with the almonds.

History of Rafael Palacios Estate

Rafael Palacios comes from one of Spain's most illustrious wine families. His brother, Álvaro Palacios, is internationally known for his work in the Priorat region, but Rafael chose to focus on white wine, particularly on reviving the Godello grape in the remote region of Valdeorras, Galicia. After working with his family in Rioja, he moved to Galicia in 2004 and began acquiring small plots of old-vine Godello vineyards in the Val do Bibei, where he set out to make high-quality, terroir-driven wines.

Valdeorras is a region with a long tradition of winegrowing, but it had been somewhat overlooked in modern times. Rafael Palacios’ work here was groundbreaking, focusing on rescuing old Godello vines and cultivating vineyards on the steep, terraced slopes of the Bibei River. By adopting organic and biodynamic practices, he has allowed the terroir to shine in his wines, producing some of the most sought-after white wines in Spain.

His approach, combining minimal intervention in the vineyard and cellar with a meticulous selection of grapes, has earned him a reputation as a pioneer in Godello winemaking. Today, Rafael Palacios is regarded as one of the top producers of white wine in Spain, with his flagship wines regularly receiving international acclaim.

Region and Vineyards

The vineyards of Rafael Palacios are located in the remote Val do Bibei, a subregion of Valdeorras in Galicia, northern Spain. This area is characterized by its dramatic landscape of steep, terraced hillsides, where vines are planted at altitudes of up to 680 meters above sea level. The soils here are predominantly granite sand, which are poor in nutrients but perfect for producing wines with minerality and depth.

The climate in Valdeorras is cooler than most other wine regions in Spain, heavily influenced by the nearby Atlantic Ocean. This allows for a long growing season, enabling the grapes to slowly develop full flavor while retaining bright acidity. The region’s topography and climate create the ideal conditions for Godello, a grape that had nearly disappeared from the area before being revived by growers like Rafael Palacios.

Rafael’s vineyards are composed of small plots, or “sortes,” many of which are home to old vines planted in the late 1970s and early 1980s. These vines produce low yields of highly concentrated fruit. Palacios practices biodynamic and organic farming, taking great care to preserve the fragile terraced landscape while allowing the vines to express the true character of the Bibei Valley.

Wine Range

Rafael Palacios is primarily known for his range of Godello-based wines, which are crafted with a focus on expressing the unique terroir of the Val do Bibei. His portfolio includes several single-vineyard and small-parcel wines, with each label reflecting the distinctiveness of the vineyard site:

  • As Sortes: A flagship wine, As Sortes is sourced from old-vine Godello parcels and showcases a perfect balance of richness, minerality, and acidity. It is regarded as one of Spain’s greatest white wines.
  • Louro: A more accessible expression of Godello, Louro is known for its freshness, elegance, and mineral-driven character, making it a favorite for those seeking an introduction to the wines of Rafael Palacios.
  • Sorte O Soro: A rare, single-vineyard bottling from the Sorte O Soro plot, this wine is one of the purest expressions of Godello, offering depth, precision, and an ability to age gracefully.

Each of Palacios' wines is fermented with indigenous yeasts and aged on lees to add texture and complexity. The wines are often aged in large French oak barrels, but the oak influence is kept subtle, allowing the fruit and minerality to take center stage.

Did you know?

The name “As Sortes” comes from the traditional Galician term for the small vineyard plots passed down through generations of families. These tiny, terraced vineyards, often located in remote areas like the Val do Bibei, are incredibly difficult to farm due to the steep terrain. However, it is precisely these plots that produce the grapes for some of Rafael Palacios' most expressive and sought-after wines.

Robert Parker (RP) : 93 Points (2023)
The young, balsamic and still faintly medicinal entry-level white 2023 Louro is dense, ripe and powerful at 13.9% alcohol, pungent and intense with a bitter twist in the finish. It's very tasty, almost salty, with cleanliness and precision, combining power with freshness and elegance. This is quite impressive and a preview of the rest of the 2023s to come. 215,000 bottles produced. Rating : 93+

Wine Spectator (WS) : 92 Points (2020)
The 2020 Louro is a little riper than the 2019 and has a softer palate. The process was the same as always, fermentation in 3,500-liter French oak foudres, where the wine matured with lees for four months. It has 14.1% alcohol with a pH of 3.26 and 6.6 grams of acidity. It feels very young and a little closed, reductive perhaps. It's quite fruit-driven, and there is a sensation of a little more ripeness here, more balsamic. It's quite round and gentle but with a nice mineral background.Rating: 92+

Jeb Dunnuck (JD) : 93 Points (2017)
In the same style, the 2017 Louro Do Bolo is a blend of 92% Godello and 8% Treixadura from sandy, granitic soils, fermented and aged in larger foudre. Crushed lime, citrus pith, white flowers, and a beautiful salinity all give way to a medium-bodied, racy, vibrant white that makes you salivate. It’s going to be incredibly versatile on the dinner table, and while I’d drink bottles over the coming year or so, I wouldn’t be surprised if this evolves gracefully for longer.

Rafael Palacios As Sortes 2022
Rafael Palacios As Sortes 2022
Rafael Palacios
As Sortes 2022
RP
95
DCT
91
Crafted with grapes from high-altitude granite soils, the As Sortes is an elegant and youthful white wine, brimming with freshness and depth, perfect for those who appreciate structured and expressive wines.
75,00 €
Quantity : moins plus
Wine regions guide
28,90 €
Quantity : Moins     Plus
 
 
We also suggest...
Spain
95 Robert Parker
Rafael Palacios As Sortes 2022
Rafael Palacios As Sortes 2022
Crafted with grapes from high-altitude granite soils, the As Sortes is an elegant and youthful white wine, brimming with freshness and depth, perfect for those who appreciate structured and expressive wines.
As Sortes 2022
75,00 €
Spain
93 Robert Parker
El Escoces Volante El Puño Tinto 2019
El Escoces Volante El Puño Tinto 2019
El Puño Tinto 2019
31,90 €
Spain
91 Robert Parker
Bodegas Albamar Ceibo Godello 2022
Bodegas Albamar Ceibo Godello 2022
The Bodegas Albamar Ceibo Godello is an elegant and refined expression of Godello, showcasing the mineral-driven terroir of Valdeorras with finesse and complexity.
Ceibo Godello 2022
32,50 €
Germany
95 James Suckling
Dr Loosen Urziger Wurzgarten Riesling Kabinett 2022
Dr Loosen Urziger Wurzgarten Riesling Kabinett 2022
A luscious and lively Riesling Kabinett from the Middle Mosel’s distinctive “spice garden” vineyard.
Urziger Wurzgarten Riesling Kabinett 2022
24,90 €
Australia
Yarra Yering Dry Red No. 2 2016
Yarra Yering Dry Red No. 2 2016
The Yarra Yering Dry Red No. 2 is a masterful blend of Shiraz, Viognier, Mataro, and Marsanne, offering a complex bouquet of violets, plums, and savory spices, supported by firm yet fine tannins.
Dry Red No. 2 2016
71,90 €
Argentina
91 Wine Enthusiast
Chakana Estate Selection Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
Chakana Estate Selection Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
Chakana Estate Selection Cabernet Sauvignon is an exceptional wine from the Uco Valley in Argentina, showcasing the boldness and elegance of 100% organic Cabernet Sauvignon cultivated in high-altitude vineyards.
Estate Selection Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
24,90 €