Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The oldest of the unoaked Verdejo I tried, the 2015 Quintaluna was produced with grapes from old vines in Segovia and sold as Vino de la Tierra de Castilla y León. The wine was kept with the lees for four months and bottled young. This is still lively, with fully developed aromas, and is varietal, with notes of freshly cut grass, quince, peach, a touch of hay and straw and a lively palate. It's interesting to see how the aromatic profile of the different years was affected by the alcohol level (ripeness), which ranged between 13.5% and 14.5%. This is in the middle at 14% alcohol and with good freshness and acidity.
There are hundreds of white grape varieties grown throughout the world. Some are indigenous specialties capable of producing excellent single varietal wines. Each has its own distinct viticultural characteristics, as well as aroma and flavor profiles.
Rueda is located along the banks of the Duero River in Spain’s Castilla y León region, just a 2-hour drive north of Madrid. While winemaking in this area goes back to the 12th century, it was in the 1980s that the region was granted Denominación de Origen (D.O.) status. Today, more than 70 wineries call Rueda home. This national favorite is the top-selling white wine in Spain.
Notable facts Rueda’s main grape variety, Verdejo, gets it distinct complexity from stressful growing conditions and mineral-rich soil. Think of Verdejo as a fuller-bodied and more aromatic Sauvignon Blanc. A lush and smooth character with perfectly balanced acidity means Rueda wines pair well with seafood, fresh salads and spicy food, but are also great on their own.