Freddy R. Troya

9.1

Bodegas As Laxas — Val do Sosego Godello
Rías Baixas, Galicia, Spain 🇪🇸

Overview
A fascinating 100% Godello from Rías Baixas, an appellation overwhelmingly associated with Albariño. That alone makes this an intriguing departure, but what really impresses is the combination of freshness, substance, and character—a different side of Atlantic Galicia in the glass.

Aromas & Flavors
Yellow apple, ripe pear, quince, lemon peel, and delicate stone fruit lead the profile, with subtle floral and mineral nuances underneath. Refreshing without relying on the overt tropical character often associated with many Rías Baixas whites.

Mouthfeel
Bone dry, energetic, and beautifully balanced, with lively acidity wrapped around a surprisingly substantial texture. There is real presence through the mid-palate and a clean, persistent finish that makes it dangerously easy to keep pouring.

Food Pairings
Grilled octopus, scallops, white fish, shrimp, seafood rice, roasted chicken, or simply good conservas. Its combination of acidity and texture makes this extremely versatile at the table.

Verdict
An impressive and decidedly different Galician white. Refreshing enough for casual drinking, yet the yellow-fruit profile, texture, and structure give it considerably more personality than a straightforward thirst-quencher.

Did You Know?
Godello is much more strongly associated with Galicia’s Valdeorras appellation, while Rías Baixas has built its international reputation around Albariño. That makes seeing “Godello” and “Rías Baixas” together on a label particularly unusual—and part of what makes this bottle so interesting.

🍷 Personal Pick
This one is soaring among my favorite Spanish whites. I love that it doesn’t follow the expected tropical-fruit script: yellow fruits, bone-dry freshness, balanced acidity, and a terrific mouthfeel give it its own identity. Deliciously, and dangerously good. — 2 days ago

Alexandre Pagliano

9.0

No specific notes but a truly good Douro red in a nice vintage. Lots going on under the hood. — a month ago

with Jamie, Jose and 2 others

Sagee Aran

9.3

Esporão Reserva Branco 2023 is a complex, full-bodied white from the Alentejo region. Creamy texture, balanced acidity, and notes of fruit, citrus with hints of oak. It's made from indigenous grapes like Antão Vaz, Arinto, and Roupeiro, offering a rich palate with a long, vibrant finish, making it a classic and harmonious wine. — 4 months ago

KA

9.2

Sala De Corte Lisbon — 4 months ago

Michelle Richards

9.0

Great value wine — 8 months ago

Galen Hasler

9.0

Beautiful northern IT style red, light body — 10 months ago

ESF

9.2

@Freddy R. Troya did an extensive write up on this and hit all key points, i'm bumping it up a bit because it was just showing SO well — 14 days ago

AEL

9.0

This is a serious wine - understated, tannic, alot going on. Agree w other reviewers that this vintage may be a bit young to crack open - didn't feel fully integrated yet. — a month ago

romo

9.2

The wine that changed my mind on Albariño a few years ago. - at Raft Island — a month ago

Tom Garland

9.3

1 hour decant(some fine/cloudy sediment). A striking still dark purplish magenta color. On the nose: Intoxicating notes of stewed dark fruit, floral, potting soil, cinnamon, mint, coffee grounds. Taste: silky, balanced, savory, creamy, juicy wine with dried blackberry, currants, dark chocolate, earth, mocha, crushed stone, and a peppery graphite long finish. YUM! Somewhere in its peaked drinking window so drink em if you got em. Unfortunately, my last bottle. — 2 months ago

with Brenda

Barny

9.0

Always a bank — 5 months ago

Jen Resnick

9.0

Delicate and delicious — 8 months ago

Vitaly Domnenko

9.1

Bm+. Tm. Am. Fm. — 9 months ago

Big Wave Dave

9.3

Beautiful, balanced, elegant. Salty, lemon, and not too floral. Creamy and long. — 8 days ago

Martijn

9.3

Time does this wine well. — a month ago

with Eric

Joe Flo

9.8

This wine is still rocking. Last 2012 btl unfortunately. — a month ago

Kristen Grimes

9.8

Soft tree fruit aromas, mouthwatering, lemon zesty, salt aftertaste that lingers on the tongue.
My favorite from Albariño class! Perfect pairing with orange shrimp, rice, and summer veggies! — 2 months ago

Matthew Robinson

9.1

Really, great malbec at its peak — 4 months ago

Lavanya Manohar

9.5

Mexican wine after a harrowing time in secondary #El Paso — 6 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

8.9

Deep Ruby with aromas of dark red fruits, spice and rustic floral notes. On the palate flavors of blackberry and cherry with pepper spice and cedar notes. Fine grainy tannins, lively acidity, medium finish ending with fruit, spice and mineral notes — 9 months ago