Rafael Palacios : Sorte O Soro 2023

Characteristics and tasting notes of the Sorte O Soro 2023 by Rafael Palacios

Tasting

Appearance
The wine reveals a bright, pale golden hue.

Nose
Highly intense, the bouquet unveils aromas of ripe white fruits such as apple and pear, along with apricot skin. It is enhanced by delicate floral notes of acacia and honeysuckle, underscored by a mineral touch of wet stone and subtle spices.

Palate
Combining energy, depth and finesse, the palate offers a generous texture supported by vibrant acidity. It reveals honeyed flavours, a savoury and saline minerality, as well as discreet tannins resulting from skin contact. Umami and vanilla nuances complete this complex ensemble, which extends into an intense, persistent and layered finish.

Food and wine pairings

This great white wine will magnificently enhance seafood such as white fish, scallops, lobster or Galician-style octopus. It also pairs beautifully with poultry and white meats served with mushroom or citrus sauces, as well as with hard cheeses.

Serving and cellaring

Endowed with remarkable ageing potential, this Sorte O Soro 2023 will evolve favourably in the cellar for a decade, or even longer, to reveal all its complexity.

Other characteristics

This wine was awarded the exceptional score of 96 points at the International Wine Challenge 2026 in the iconic wines category, coming within just one point of the highest possible score. It embodies the ultimate expression of the estate's philosophy.

The pure and mineral expression of a great Valdeorras white by Rafael Palacios

The estate

Founded in 2004 in Galicia, the Rafael Palacios estate quickly established itself as an essential benchmark. Still the owner and at the helm of the property today, Rafael Palacios has built his reputation on the patient rehabilitation of old vines in the Bibei valley. Far from being a mere commercial brand, this deeply personal project showcases the local indigenous grape variety through demanding viticulture. The estate is now internationally recognised for its white wines of exceptional purity and elegance.

The vineyard

Sourced from a single plot located in the Val do Bibei sub-region within the Valdeorras appellation, this cuvée comes from vines planted in 1978. Rising to 710 metres in altitude, this terraced vineyard benefits from a south-western exposure and a constant refreshing breeze. The vines, derived from a low-vigour massal selection, thrive on poor soils of sandy granite enriched with quartz schist. The land is worked using horses, in the strictest respect of biodynamic farming principles.

Winemaking and aging

The vinification of Sorte O Soro 2023 stands out for its minimally interventionist approach. Fermentation begins spontaneously with indigenous yeasts in new 500-litre French oak barrels. The wine is then aged on fine lees for around seven months in these same vessels, allowing its texture to be refined while preserving the brightness of the fruit, before being bottled without fining or filtration.

Grape variety

100% Godello