Valdesil O Chao 2013

Valdesil O Chao is a single-parcel Godello from the only granite vineyard the estate farms in Valdeorras, made in a single barrel.

Valdeorras lies at the eastern edge of Galicia, where the River Sil cuts through steep slate hills, and it is the home of Godello, a variety brought back from near-extinction there and now the region's calling card. Bodegas Valdesil at Vilamartín is the family estate with the longest history in the grape. The great majority of its vines sit on slate and schist, so O Chao is the exception: planted by the family in 1941 on granite-based soils at 450 metres. It is one of two single-peza wines in the range, the other being the Pedrouzos bottling from the 1885 vineyard, offered only in magnum, and each yields just one barrel in the years they are made at all. The juice ferments slowly with wild yeasts and is raised in a single 500-litre French oak barrel, then bottled unfined and unfiltered. The decomposed granitic sand shows in a cooler fruit profile, a smoky mineral quality and a touch of phenolic grip.

Use a large glass and give it air; it will keep developing for some years. Serve at 11-12°C with grilled fish, roast chicken or a hard sheep's cheese.

*Every effort is made to ensure the current vintage is accurate; however, variations can occur. If you are after a specific vintage, please contact us prior to ordering.