Verdejo is a variety of white wine grapes that are grown in the Rueda region of Spain. The variety from North Africa was introduced in Rueda around the 11th Century, and was thought to have been brought to the region by the Mozarabs. Verdejo is used to create strong wines that are similar to Sherry, and can also be mixed with other varieties. During the 1970s, Verdejo was used by the company Marques de Riscal, which created light and fresh styles of the wine. Verdejo is blended with Rueda wines, which contain 50 percent of the grape variety and 50 percent of another type, typically Sauvignon blanc or Macabeo. The grape variety is usually harvested in the evening and they are placed in the cellar during a time when the temperature is cooler, which gives the wines less oxidation. Wines created from the variety are aromatic, creamy, and have nutty tones and honey flavors. Verdejo lived undiscovered for hundreds of years and is now being used again and rediscovered in the last 15 years. The type grows well in high altitude regions and is now Spain’s main white grape type. The Verdejo grape variety is said to be one of Spain’s best white wine grape types.
Amador Diez Cuvee Verdejo is made from
This cuvee is named after Amador Diez de Íscar, who was president of the winery for 21 years. It is produced in limited quantity with meticulous care from a selection of the 10 best hectares of the winery’s centennial pre-phylloxera vineyard – harvested by hand – and vinified with the aim of favoring its longevity, making it ideal for its consumption today while maintaining great aging potential. The wine is bottled manually with an exclusive presentation that includes a label stamped on wood.
Straw yellow color. Dominant aromas of white fruits, citrus fruits and anise. The barrel ageing brings delicate sweet aromas, such as coconut, vanilla, and liquorice. Fresh, rich and intense on the palate with typical flavors from the Verdejo grape variety.
Pair with appetizers, fish and especially seafood. Also grilled meats and food of intense flavors such as cheeses and ham.
Review:
"One of the most ambitious Rueda whites, this comes from a selection of pre-phylloxera vineyards and is built to age. The oak is better integrated than on the 2015, which is also available in the market right now, supporting a wine with amazing intensity and focus. Nutty and intense, it has flavours of pear, citrus and marzipan, with undertones of fennel and cinnamon, good structure and racy, palate-cleansing acidity."
- Tim Atkin (November 2020), 95 pts
Carmo Vinhos Madeira Verdejo 10 Yr an amber medium dry wine with medium body and acidity. Rich aroma and flavor of dried fruits, nuts and caramel, showing a vibrant character, lengthy and well balanced. An excellent aperitif or as an accompaniment to pates.
El Cortijillo Blanco La Mancha is made from 100% Verdejo
El Cortijillo Verdejo shows a pale straw green color. It is fresh and aromatic with floral notes, peach, crisp apple and tropical fruits. A mineral accent and herbal notes. Good acidity, it is refreshing on the palate, fruity and smooth.
Green & Social Rueda Organic Verdejo is made from 100 percent Verdejo.
The launch of green & social is a step forward in pursuit of the sustainability by Cuatro Rayas and the starting point of new environmental initiatives in support of the social economy that the Cooperative launched. Lightweight recycled glass to reduce emissions. Aluminum capsule free of plastics and 100% recyclable. Sugar cane cap with zero carbon footprint.
Green and social Rueda offers a straw yellow color with bright green hues and exhibits fresh, citrus fruit and balsamic aromas that are typical of the Verdejo variety. Its simplicity and purity find a dynamic and seductive path between fresh flavors, finesse, and minerality. It is a fresh and crisp wine.
Green & Social Rueda Organic Verdejo is made from 100 percent Verdejo.
The launch of green & social is a step forward in pursuit of the sustainability by Cuatro Rayas and the starting point of new environmental initiatives in support of the social economy that the Cooperative launched. Lightweight recycled glass to reduce emissions. Aluminum capsule free of plastics and 100% recyclable. Sugar cane cap with zero carbon footprint.
Green and social Rueda offers a straw yellow color with bright green hues and exhibits fresh, citrus fruit and balsamic aromas that are typical of the Verdejo variety. Its simplicity and purity find a dynamic and seductive path between fresh flavors, finesse, and minerality. It is a fresh and crisp wine.
Green & Social Rueda Organic Verdejo is made from 100 percent Verdejo.
The launch of green & social is a step forward in pursuit of the sustainability by Cuatro Rayas and the starting point of new environmental initiatives in support of the social economy that the Cooperative launched. Lightweight recycled glass to reduce emissions. Aluminum capsule free of plastics and 100% recyclable. Sugar cane cap with zero carbon footprint.
Green and social Rueda offers a straw yellow color with bright green hues and exhibits fresh, citrus fruit and balsamic aromas that are typical of the Verdejo variety. Its simplicity and purity find a dynamic and seductive path between fresh flavors, finesse, and minerality. It is a fresh and crisp wine.
Ossian Capitel Verdejo is made from 100% Verdejo.
Ossian Capital represents a particular expression of very old Verdejo vines, taking its potential far finesse, elegance and longevity. It is made in selected years with a selection of extraordinary grapes.
Color: Old golden yellow color with greenish reflections.
Aromas: Surprisingly nuanced and profound.
Flavors: Fresh, full and very light.
Review:
"The 2020 Capitel is pure Verdejo from the oldest vines from the Peña Aguda vineyard in the village of Nieva on slate soils. This is the last vineyard to be bottled and has higher alcohol (14%) than the rest of the vineyards despite now harvesting earlier. The wine has a different aromatic profile but getting closer to the style of Ossian, less opulent than in the past, with more energy, quite fruit-driven with some exotic notes reminiscent of banana skin. The whole clusters were pressed and the juice put to ferment in barrel where the wine matured with the lees and, starting this year, without bâtonnage, because they feel the wines have enough volume and stirring the lees can bring more oxidation to the wine. 2,500 bottles produced. - Luis GUTIERREZ"
- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (January 31st 2023), 93+ pts
Ossian Quintaluna Verdejo is made from 100% Verdejo
Quintaluna is a young wine that is made exclusively from Verdejo in the province of Segovia. 60% is very old grape: pre-phylloxera (ungrafted). 40% is made of very young grapes on trellises, grown certified organic, with low yields. The key to success for the Verdejo grape is held in the soil. Ideal soil has a high content of sand and pebbles of different sizes. Some have higher proportions of clay and others have significant proportions of clay and limestone. As the pebbles and sand allow for good drainage, the clay holds enough moisture to allow the vines to thrive.
The color is a straw yellow with greenish reflections. On the nose, you will find aromas of white flowers, stone fruit (peach), and citrus (lemon, mandarin). It also displays tropical fruit aromas. The palate is complex. Natural acidity is evident in the freshness and length on the palate. Almond and ripe fruit flavors are found in the mid-palate with fresh grass and citrus on the finish.
It pairs wells with all kinds of appetizers, entrees and salads.
Review:
"Light, bright straw. Fresh pear, orange pith and a suggestion of pungent flowers on the powerfully scented nose, along with a building mineral nuance. Juicy and incisive in the mouth, offering Meyer lemon, pear and quince flavors accented by a spicy ginger flourish. Silky and focused on the finish, which shows powerful floral lift, minerally cut and impressive persistence. - Josh Raynolds"
- Antonio Galloni's Vinous (February 2021), 92 pts
Ossian Quintaluna Verdejo is made from 100% Verdejo
Quintaluna is a young wine that is made exclusively from Verdejo in the province of Segovia. 60% is very old grape: pre-phylloxera (ungrafted). 40% is made of very young grapes on trellises, grown certified organic, with low yields. The key to success for the Verdejo grape is held in the soil. Ideal soil has a high content of sand and pebbles of different sizes. Some have higher proportions of clay and others have significant proportions of clay and limestone. As the pebbles and sand allow for good drainage, the clay holds enough moisture to allow the vines to thrive.
The color is a straw yellow with greenish reflections. On the nose, you will find aromas of white flowers, stone fruit (peach), and citrus (lemon, mandarin). It also displays tropical fruit aromas. The palate is complex. Natural acidity is evident in the freshness and length on the palate. Almond and ripe fruit flavors are found in the mid-palate with fresh grass and citrus on the finish.
It pairs wells with all kinds of appetizers, entrees and salads.
Review:
"The 2020 Quintaluna is pure Verdejo from small plots on sandy soils in the province of Segovia, fermented in stainless steel with indigenous yeasts. They still use grapes from external suppliers but are working toward using 100% their own grapes (which they might achieve in 2023); therefore, the wine is not certified organic, because some of the vineyards from the growers are not certified. It has a balsamic nose reminiscent of bay leaf, dried yellow flowers, chamomile and pollen intermixed with pit fruit. It has a dry palate and a chalky texture, with balance and finesse, with moderate ripeness and 13.5% alcohol. 110,000 bottles. - Luis GUTIERREZ"
- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (January 31st 2023), 92 pts
Pale Yellow color with fresh green tones.
Very aromatic, with citrus, tropical fruit, tangerine, lemongrass and lemon thyme. Fruity notes with anise and minerals, typical of the Verdejo grape. Fresh in the mouth, the wine is slightly fizzy, with an excellent balance between acidity and sweetness.
100% Verdejo from the Rueda region.
Vine density: 2,222 vines per hectares
Yield: 9,000 kilos per hectares
Machine harvested
Selected yeast
Fermentation lasts between 6 and 8 days.
Total Acidity: 6.8 g/liter
Pairs with appetizers, dessert or light meal.
SALE
Palacio de Bornos Verdejo Rueda is made from 100% Verdejo.
Mechanical and manual harvest. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks at controlled temperature of 15-16º C for 18 to 20 days. Cold stabilization, filtration. Clay and limestone with small round stones.
Straw-like yellow color with fresh green tones.
Hugely aromatic, with tropical fruit, tangerine, lemongrass and lemon thyme. Fruity notes with anise and minerals, typical of the Verdejo grape. Full in the mouth, well structured, dense and persistent with a lingering aftertaste. The wine has great length and a delicious mouth-filling richness, and finished with a precise acid cut.
As a light aperitif, ideal at any time of the day, with a tapas or small snack, with Pasta al Pesto, Mousse of Tuna fish and lime..
Enjoy with everything from sushi to spicy Cajun shrimp!
SALE
Palacio de Bornos Verdejo Rueda is made from 100% Verdejo.
Mechanical and manual harvest. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks at controlled temperature of 15-16º C for 18 to 20 days. Cold stabilization, filtration. Clay and limestone with small round stones.
Straw-like yellow color with fresh green tones.
Hugely aromatic, with tropical fruit, tangerine, lemongrass and lemon thyme. Fruity notes with anise and minerals, typical of the Verdejo grape. Full in the mouth, well structured, dense and persistent with a lingering aftertaste. The wine has great length and a delicious mouth-filling richness, and finished with a precise acid cut.
As a light aperitif, ideal at any time of the day, with a tapas or small snack, with Pasta al Pesto, Mousse of Tuna fish and lime..
Enjoy with everything from sushi to spicy Cajun shrimp!
Every now and then, in life and in wine, we are presented with unique opportunities to express ourselves and create something truly remarkable.
When rare opportunities arise, we need to capture, nurture and develop them so that their potential is fulfilled. So when Torbreck was given the opportunity to work with one of the most famous vineyards in the Barossa Valley, it became almost inevitable that the resulting wine would be truly remarkable.
In 2003, Torbreck growers and fourth generation descendants of the Seppelt family, Malcolm and Joylene Seppelt, asked our winemakers to create for them a small batch of Shiraz from their old Gnadenfrei vineyard in the sub-region of Marananga.
Planted in 1958, the five acre vineyard is traditionally dry grown and comes from an original Barossa clonal source. South facing, on the eastern side of a ridge separating the Seppeltsfield and Marananga appellations, these aged vines have been meticulously hand tended, traditionally farmed and pruned by a grower with a lifetime’s experience on Western Barossa soils of very dark, heavy clay loam over red friable clay. The resulting low yields of small, concentrated Shiraz berries make the vineyard the envy of all winemakers in the Barossa.
We looked longingly at the wine when it was returned to the Seppelts, knowing that it was the best we had ever made. In 2005 we convinced the Seppelts to sell Torbreck the fruit and The Laird was born. In 2013 Torbreck purchased the Gnadenfrei vineyard, securing The Laird’s reputation as one of the world’s great single vineyard Shiraz wines.
Torbreck is the name of a forest near Inverness, Scotland and you’ll find more than a passing nod to the Celts in our wine naming conventions. The Laird of the Estate in Scotland is the Lord of the Manor and master of all he surveys.
Review:
I poured the 2017 The Laird, set it aside and got about doing other jobs for 45 minutes or so, to give it some room to breathe. And it does breathe. It has its own pulse and beat and life, and it flexes and moves in the mouth. This is incredibly enveloping, with aromas reminiscent of campfire coals, charred eucalyptus, lamb fat, roasted beetroot, black tea and a prowling sort of countenance. In the mouth, the wine is bonded and cohesive and seamless, there are no gaps between anything, no space between fruit, oak and tannin; it all comes as one. While this is a singular wine, it is so big and concentrated that it needs no accompaniment other than some fresh air and a good mate. It's denser than osmium and is impenetrable at this stage.
Royet Rully Blanc Clos de Bellecroix is made from 100% Chardonnay.
Intense light yellow color - nose evokes ripe yellow fruit, with a hint of fresh wood and vanilla - round, gourmet palate with hints of smoke and vanilla.
Pair with white meat or fish with cream sauce, foie gras.