Winemaker Notes
Greenish gold, very complex and subtle in nose, mineral character, displays citrus notes, white flowers and ripe stone fruit (peach, apricot and nectarine) fused with elegant toasted notes. On the palate, its fruitiness stands out in a broad, tasty and serious set without losing the freshness provided by a balanced acidity. Very long finish of bitter fruitsas well as smoked and mineral notes.
Ideal to pair with appetizers, seafood, intensely flavored seafood and molluscs, grilled and sauced fish, smoked sausages, white meat and roasted poultry, pasta with marinara sauce, soft cheeses, creams and soups.
Professional Ratings
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Vinous
The 2022 Verdejo Shaya Habis is an organic Verdejo from Rueda, fermented entirely in 500-liter barrels with some 225-liter casks as well. Deep yellow in color, it displays white fruit, sweet corn cream, baked apple, herbs, bay leaf and menthol. Oak brings intensity to the finish, leaving a hint of vanilla and cream. More concentrated than other vintages, this style is favored in 2022.
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Wine Spectator
A lithe white, with fragrant lime blossom, cardamom and star anise accents to the supple mesh of poached quince and pear, hazelnut skin, and Meyer lemon peel. Finely meshed and fresh, this is lightly creamy and lingering on the finish. Drink now through 2035.
Captivating and full of character, Verdejo grows with great success in Rueda, Spain and virtually nowhere else in Europe. It has become so trendy in Spain since the turn of the century that plantings have also increased tremendously. Somm Secret—Contrary to what some may think, it is actually not related to the Portugese variety with a very similar name, Verdelho. In fact, DNA profiling suggests it may be a sibling of Godello, another native of NW Spain.
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.