This is exceptionally good Verdejo, a variety can make very refreshing but also characterful wines from the Rueda region in the northwest of Castilla y León. There are several “exceptional” aspects to its excellence, including unusually impressive palate weight and a generously rounded mouthfeel. Indeed, the sheer density of the wine and its vivid fruitiness made me wonder if there’s a bit of residual sugar left after the fermentation, but that is a question based on texture rather than any sugary flavor or aftertaste. Also impressive is the total absence of any sulfurous scents, which are evident in quite a few lesser examples of this wine category. This house also makes a stellar Sauvignon Blanc that is a bit more edgy; buy this if you favor a bit more richness.
Álvarez y Díez, Rueda DO (Castilla y León, Spain) Verdejo 2020
By Michael Franz