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Gorvia Blanco

Gorvia Blanco

Gorvia Blanco is a single vineyard wine made by Bodegas Quinta da Muradella in the DO region of Monterrei. Just above the border of Portugal in northwest Spain, Monterrei is part of an area whose rich geology was once prized by the Romans for mining, notably gold. Ancient findings have confirmed that the Romans are responsible for another of the area’s treasures, vineyards. Winemaker and proprietor Jose Luis Mateo coined the vineyard name ‘Gorvia.’ The philosophy behind Gorvia is to produce a vino de finca (single vineyard wine) from the northwest side of the region, in the Pazos de Monterrei subzone, from grape varieties planted during the region’s third historic period in the 1980’s. All grapes are certified organic and the viticulture is biodynamic. Gorvia Blanco is made from Doña Blanca, a white grape historically viewed as inferior and used to make orujo, the local name for grappa. Jose Luis and the highly respected Raul Perez, a consulting enologist, have done relentless work recuperating old vineyards and their efforts have shown the quality potential of the region’s grapes. Their wines have earned accolades from The Wine Advocate and Guia Peñin.

What makes this wine unique?

Single Vineyard wine, Organic viticulture. This grape makes a wine that can age!! Small production. Gorvia Blanco is a white wine with the soul of a red wine.

Rating history:

2007 92RP; 2006 92RP

Grape:

100% Doña Blanca, from a single vineyard. Vines have been planted at a density of 3,500 vines per hectare and yields are very low (1,500 kilos/hectare) to obtain concentration and complexity. The vines are trained on a two-wired trellis in the double cordon system. The vineyard is certified organic by CRAEGA (Consejo Regulador de Agricultura Ecológica de Galicia) and the viticulture is biodynamic.

Pairing Suggestions:

With very expressive, high pitched, floral and chalky aromas, this powerhouse, gutsy white wine will put you in mind of things that pair well with Grand Cru Chablis, single vineyard Pouilly-Fuissé wines and northern Rhône whites. Fresh oysters, razor clams, shrimp; peaky toe crab and lobster are perfect, as well as a broad range of flavorful deep-sea fish like swordfish, tuna, yellowtail, John Dory, red snapper, tilapia and Chilean sea bass. Don’t forget any richly flavored soft cheeses.

Vinification and ageing:

There is a pre-fermentation maceration or “cold soak” for 48 hours to increase the flavors and body in the wine followed by a gentle racking to separate the must from the thick, gross lees or solids left after crush. Fermentation is carried out in stainless steel tanks to retain the grape’s pure, fresh and unadulterated aromas and flavors. The wine is aged for 8 months in 500-liter French oak barrels, three years old, with an additional 3 months in stainless steel tank and 5 months in bottle before release.

Production:

166 6-pack cases are made; 45 for the U.S.

Location, Soil, Climate:

The winery’s vineyards are located in Zone 1, towards the interior of Galicia, close to the Portuguese border. The Gorvia vineyard is 1.2 hectares (3 acres) at 460 meters (1,500 ft.) elevation, within the northern district of Pazos de Monterrei on the west side of the Tamega River. The soils are red clay and slate stone, situated on a medium slope with a 3% gradient and southern exposure. The climate is Atlantic with a Continental influence. Monterrei is one of the Galician appellations furthest from the Atlantic Ocean. This inland Continental setting brings a drier and warmer climate than western Galician regions. Here, there’s an average 23 inches of yearly rainfall; closer to the water in Rias Baixas, the average is 93 inches.

Tasting notes:

Gorvia Blanco was sourced from a single 3 acre vineyard planted exclusively to the indigenous variety Dona Blanca (used in the past mostly for grappa production or as a table grape). Medium straw-colored, it reveals aromas of apple, pear, slate/mineral, citrus, and acacia. Crisp, concentrated, and intense (in the style of top-level unoaked Chablis), in the mouth it is vibrant, complex, and impeccably balanced.
-Jay Miller, The Wine Advocate

Alcohol Content:

13.0%

UPC Code:

NO UPC CODE