Dominio Do Bibei Lapola 2012

Description

This is a delicious zesty white blend from the spectacular mountain region of Ribeira Sacra in Galicia, Spain just north of Portugal.

This area is a far cry from the hot summers and bull fights of southern Espana. It is cool, green mountainous with flowing rivers- the influence coming from the Atlantic and the steep terraced vines grow in slate and granitic soils at up to 650 metres on the banks of the river Sil and the upper sections of the Miño, the river that goes on to form the border between Spain and Portugal.

This project is the brainchild of Javier Dominguez whose passion is to rebuild this once grand estate. Old terraces are being restructured and new vines are being planted. Dominio do Bibei is a 125 hectare estate with approximately 45 hectares planted today.

Lapola is a blend of 70% Godello, 20% Albarino and 10% Dona Blanca white grapes from vines aged between 4 and 100 years planted in schist/slate soils. The Albarino, from cuttings selected from the ancient Do Ferreiro vineyard in Riax Baixas, accounts for most of the younger vine fruit. Not dissimilar to the fleshy and ripplingly fresh 2011, the new vintage vibrates with dried herb, blossom scents with ripe peach fruit. The palate continues the story with pulpy, textural fruit – made lively by saline freshness, flowing to a crystal clear, crunchy close. Just so deliciously drinkable with a wonderful elegance and energy. In terms of the winemaking, the grapes are whole-bunch pressed and naturally fermented (although the malo is blocked). It is then aged for 15 months on its lees in Stockinger Austrian foudre (what else?!) and those funky Nomblot concrete “eggs” (ditto!). Again the wine is bottled without fining of filtration. Si si senores to this delicious mountain white wine!
RRP $59