Telmo Rodriguez, Valdeorras DO (Galicia, Spain) Godello 2019

 Back in the day when “flying winemakers” were all the rage in the wine world, Telmo Rodriguez called himself a driving winemaker.  He and a fellow enology student, Pablo Eguzkiza, traveled around Spain looking for old vineyards.  They created Compañia de Vinos Telmo Rodriguez to make wines from those vineyards like this exciting wine made from the white Godello grape.  According to Wine Grapes by Jancis Robinson, et al, the Godello grape “most likely originates from the banks of the Rio Sil in Galica.”  Gaba do Xil, which is 100 percent Godello is named for that river.  The wine has a light straw color and aromas of peach, pear, tropical fruit, and citrus with balsamic notes.  Round and luscious in the mouth with  ripe fruit, dried woody herbs and zesty acidity for balance and a mouthwatering finish.