Nisia Rueda 2011
While Verdejo has been planted for over 1,000 years, this old vine Verdejo comes from vines planted nearly 100 years ago with the youngest grapes planted in 1942. Old vine Verdejo is more textural and yet polished poised on a high wire between a racy mineral Verdejo and a mouth filling textural Verdejo that combines edgy citrus and ripe orchard fruit –stylistically charming because it marries two ends of the Verdejo spectrum with wondrous form.
Wine review by Nicholas Livingston, March 2013
Expert Review
91 Wine Advocate
The 2011 Nisia is made from 100% old vine Verdejo (the youngest vines were planted in 1942, and others are nearly 100 years of age). The wine is aged sur-lie, and fermented in both stainless steel and large format French oak. It is undeniably one of the finest Verdejos I have ever tasted. Yields were less than three tons of fruit per hectare, which is noticeable in the wine’s old vine intensity. Notions of caramelized white citrus and tropical fruit blossoms along with a naked, natural texture as well as finish make for a terrific dry white with loads of personality and complexity. This beauty sells for an absurdly low price. Enjoy it over the next year.
Production from the Rueda vineyard (38.3 acres) owned by Jorge Ordonez was begun in 2011. This well-known white wine appellation sits on the border of the province of Segovia. The 2010 and 2011 Zerran come from a vineyard planted at 1,500-1,800 feet altitude. They are blends of Grenache, Mazuelo and Syrah whose vines were planted between 1934 and 1942.
Wine review by Robert Parker, Jr.
90 International Wine Cellar
(aged on its lees in stainless steel tanks and large French oak casks): Pale gold. A highly perfumed bouquet evokes pear, melon, anise, pungent flowers and candied ginger, with a stony nuance adding vivacity. Sappy and focused, offering taut orchard fruit and citrus zest flavors and notes of honeydew and herbs. Finishes with firm grip and very good clarity, leaving anise and floral notes behind.
Wine review by Stephen Tanzer
