Cimabella 2019 Godello & 2016 Mencia

Bodega del Abad, Cimabella, 2019 Godello & 2016 Mencia, From Bierzo, SP

The Godello grape is native to Bierzo and Gallacia and while not the most popular of the Bierzo’s white, it is definitely my favourite. A perfect balance of freshness and richness, this Cimabella Godello combines the apple like juiciness with the delicate minerality generated from the slate soils. A supple, lees texture means it’s the accompaniment of a lifetime with any seafood.

While the mencia grape is generating the title of ‘hot’ on the world wine meter, there’s still a fair bit of variance between a ‘good’ and a ‘bad’ Mencia. This is one of the good ones. In a nod to the Rhône, with its silky, peppery and dark fruited pompousness, you’ll find a click of the tongue brings you a zippy, tannic, red fruited flourish, like the flash of a flamenco dancer in the corner of your eye.