Valdesil Montenovo Godello 2022

With its cadre of old vines and magnificent highland terroirs, Valdesil has become a gold-standard source for Godello. Montenovo is this producer’s entry-level offering, fashioned from high-altitude vineyards spread across the slate-ridden villages of Rubiá, A Rúa, Larouco, Petín and O Bolo. The plantings, which average 15 years old, are all mass selection vines propagated from the oldest and ‘baddest’ Godello in Spain—the 130+-year-old vines of Valdesil’s Pedrouzos vineyard.

Fermented wild and raised in stainless steel, this lays down a seriously impressive marker. The new release is star bright and pulpy, brimming with fleshy citrus, smoky earth and white floral notes balanced by chalky minerality, a ringing vein of ripe acidity and a crunchy and refreshing finish.