La Guiana 2022

A Godello that deliberately pulls fruit back to let origin and structure speak instead. In the glass, a brilliant golden yellow with bright highlights, clear and radiant, with a ripe, warm appearance. The nose opens with yellow beet and spring turnip, joined subtly by mirabelle plum and persimmon. A citrus contour comes from orange zest, grapefruit peel and mandarin skin, overlaid with an herbal spiciness of oregano, thyme, parsley and tarragon. Yeasty, nutty notes recall fresh yeasted pastry and macadamia nuts; with air, cold smoke and weathered stone emerge.

The site is classified as Vino de Paraje under the D.O. Bierzo. The vineyard was planted in 1999 and has always been farmed organically. The vines sit at 600 metres altitude, with a gentle southwest exposure and only 5% slope, rooted in highly clay-rich soil that is unusual for the region. Sangarida was founded in 2019; Lía Fariña runs the winery with the expertise of Jean-François Hébrard.

100% Godello. After hand-harvesting, fully destemmed, gently pressed and spontaneously fermented in acacia and oak barrels, 228 and 500 litres, first and second fill. This is followed by 12 months on the lees with regular bâtonnage in the same vessel until bottling. 13.5% vol., dry.

The entry is concentrated and dense without becoming heavy or opulent. The texture has substance but is quickly caught by a precise salty-mineral vein that gives structure and length. The fruit stays in the background, leaning vegetal-yellow, with moderate, well-integrated acidity. The finish holds onto dried herbs and fine saline notes.

The combination of clay soil, altitude and spontaneous fermentation in acacia and oak barrels produces a white wine defined by texture, minerality and spice. The long lees ageing with bâtonnage in the fermentation vessel shapes its density.