Bodegas Piqueras, Almansa (Castilla-La Mancha, Spain) Verdejo 2020

 The Verdejo variety is most famously vinified in Rueda, but plots are also located in other regions, as demonstrated by this wine.  The grapes are sourced from a single plot in a cool location at a relatively high elevation, and are then fermented with indigenous yeasts for 2 months in 300-liter, fine-grained, lightly toasted French Allier barrels.  Ageing is then conducted for 6 months in small stainless steel tanks in continuous contact with the fine lees, with periodic bâtonnage conducted to enhance the finished wine’s complexity and texture.  Although the Almansa region is closer to Murcia and Valencia than to Rueda, a cool microclimate at high altitude evidently can trump the warmer macroclimate here, as this retains abundant acidity from the 2020 vintage that punches right through the lees influence and wood exposure.  Orchard fruit flavors of apricot predominate, but there’s a notable citrus edge that provides freshness and lift.