2024 Bodegas Ordonez Vatan Nisia Old Vines Verdejo [V92][JD90]

Producer: Bodegas Vatan 
Region: Rueda, Spain  
Varietal: Verdejo  
Year: 2024  

Retail Price: $25.00
Our Price: $12.49* 

Think of Verdejo as a fuller-bodied and more aromatic Sauvignon Blanc.  It's also a varietal most people have never heard of.  Verdejo is an uncommon white wine that grows almost exclusively in Rueda, Spain.  It's not a wine people discover on international travels because people rarely travel to Rueda.  It's an outstanding alternative to wines like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio.  Verdejo is known for subtle, yet stunning, wines with flavors of lime, Meyer lemon, grapefruit grass, fennel and citrus blossom.  Unlike most white wines, Verdejo continues to improve over several years of bottle aging, gaining a rich texture.  Bodegas Vatan is part of the Jorge Ordonez Group, a select group of eight wineries that produce wines all across Spain.  The philosophy of the project is the production of artisan wines from the oldest vineyards of Spain's indigenous grapes.  Jorge Ordonez is the man who introduced Spanish wines to the US.  He has twice been named to Robert Parker's Top 20 Wine Personalities and boasts an impressive list of accolades.  The 2024 Bodegas Ordonez Vatan Nisia Old Vines Verdejo is a wine with exuberant citrus and floral character, refreshing acidity and complexity.  It's medium-bodied with balanced acidity to keep it lively.  The palate is creamy and fresh with a mineral finish.  The wine opens with delicate oak, butter, lees, pastry and green apple aromas.  It's bright, refreshing and richly textured.  On the palate, there are flavors of peach, apricot, ripe cantaloupe, passionfruit, pineapple, lime peel, lemon curd, ground cardamom and ginger.  Enjoy!

Vinous, 92 Points 

"The 2024 Nisia Old Vine Verdejo was made from bush-trained vines planted in 1950, fermented in old barrels and was aged on the lees. Yellow in color, it opens with delicate oak, butter, lees, pastry and green apple aromas. The palate is creamy and fresh, with good volume. It leaves behind white fruit flavors and a hint of concentration." 

Jeb Dunnuck, 89-90 Points 

“An unfiltered tank sample from dry-farmed ungrafted vines, the 2024 Nisia Verdejo Old Vines is grown in sandy soils that have long been resistant to phylloxera, thus the old vines. The conditions are extreme. Barrel-fermented entirely in French oak, the wine is aged on the lees and medium-bodied in peach and apricot, with balanced acidity to keep it lively.” 

Wine Spectator, 

"Lightly honeyed and floral, with bright acidity and a lightly chalky texture supporting its ripe cantaloupe, lime peel, peach skin, ground cardamom and ginger notes. Minerally finish." 

Winemaker Notes: 

"Nisia comes from 80 year old vineyards of Verdejo planted in sandy soils. Sustainable agriculture and traditional farming. Bright aromas of passionfruit, pineapple, and minerality dance on the nose. On the palate, a rich texture is balanced by bright acidity and flavors of lemon curd.  A wine with exuberant citrus and floral character, refreshing acidity, and complexity from sur lie and barrel ageing."  

Alcohol: 13.5%

*Price and availability in store may vary. Discounts do not apply to wines like this one currently on sale.