Ultreia, Godello, Bierzo, 2021
Produced from 50% owned and 50% purchased fruit totalling 6-7HA depending on the year. The estate-owned vineyards are in the eastern part of the Bierzo zone, planted on schist and clay soils, from vines averaging 30-35 years old. Harvest here takes place a full 20 days later than in Valtuille, yielding grapes with high natural acidity and only 11-12% potential alcohol, providing excellent blending material. 25% is sourced from Cacabelos on deeper clay-stony soils, and the final 25% from Valtuille where the vineyards have a higher percentage of sand in the soils. All plots are fermented in oak tank and assembled just before bottling. Aging takes place in barrels of various sizes and ages. The estate-owned fruit is aged in the Ultreia cellar where a small layer of flor is allowed to develop before blending and bottling after 12 months with no racking or battonage. “In hot vintages Godello can be very tropical but in 2018 it is much clearer and more serious.” 2018 has yielded a crisp, focused, and citrus driven Godello with mouth-watering freshness. A superb wine for the price. 13% ABV.
critic reviews
The white 2021 Ultreia Godello shows freshness, restraint, balance and good freshness, with a very low pH of 3.19. It was produced with grapes mostly from Cacabelos and some from around Valtuille, mostly from their own vineyards; they purchased a large vineyard with some vines planted in 1906 and another plot regrafted from Palomino, and this wine is now some 70% from their own vines. It fermented in oak foudres and barriques. It has contained ripeness, 13.5% alcohol and a very fresh and mineral profile. They produced around 35,000 bottles of this.