Gaba do Xil Godello 2016

The entry level white 2016 Gaba Do Xil is old vine Godello from a challenging year with lots of mildew in May followed by warm temperatures in July and September that resulted in a late harvest but somehow delivered very good grapes. It fermented with indigenous yeasts in stainless steel and was bottled unoaked. This is very obviously young, subtle and elegant. But it's the palate that points you in the direction it's going to go with time in bottle: clean minerality, with the upfront granite sensation, a texture rather than a flavor. Impressive for the price and volume, even though 2016 was a short vintage; it could very well be the finest white Gaba do Xil to date. It ends with an almost salty twang. 83,760 bottles produced. It was bottled in January 2017.