Louro Godello, Rafael Palacios 2022

The 2022 Louro still feels a little reductive and has pungent balsamic notes of bay leaf. It was a very warm year with constant heat and very healthy grapes. It keeps the freshness but still feels the roundness of the year. Most of the grapes were picked before the rain they had in September. It's tasty with a salty twist in the finish. These wines benefit from time in bottle; this 2022 still feels too young and undeveloped to me. Drink 2024-2029.

Greenish mid straw in colour, the nose on this year's Louro is complex already, melding notes of green almonds, fresh herbs and creamier stone fruits. Full of personality, the palate is spicy with hints of white pepper and toasted sesame seeds, which blend effortlessly with notes of white peach and mandarin curd. Oily in texture, there is more green almond and a hint of fennel seed complete this intriguing and above all delicious Godello, which is drinking very well already.