Cuatro Rayas, Longverdejo, Gran Vino de Rueda, DO Rueda, Spain, 2022

Viticulture

Vineyards are in the regions of Segovia and Valladolid and the vines chosen are from a selection of some of the oldest goblet-trained Verdejo vines of at least 40 years old, with some being 80 and 100 years old. Harvest is in early September, with manual picking into 300kg crates.

Winemaking

Sorted on a vibrating selection table straight from the refrigerator, then pressed. Fermentation and ageing in stainless steel vats, egg-shaped concrete vats, and 500L French oak barrels with different toasting levels. A single coupage of 12,984 bottles, where the unique characteristics of the Verdejo from DO Rueda are enhanced. Aged on its fine lees for eight months, with a daily bâtonnage for three months.

Oak Ageing

Time: 8 Months
Type: French 500 Litre
% wine oaked: 30
% new oak: 30

Tasting Note

This wine portrays the evident character of the areas and the old vineyards from which it is produced—some being pre-phylloxera. Green-tinged yellow in colour this special Verdejo has a complex nose of stone fruit, flat peach and apricot, white flowers, fennel, and some minerality. All of them combined with tertiary hints of dough, nuts and spice resulting from the oak ageing. An intense and complex palate, full of tension, making it softer and longer despite its full body, with saline hints.

Food Matching

Mushroom risotto, pan fried seabass and paella.