Ossian Quintaluna Verdejo 2020

This is stunningly complex and delicious Verdejo, a variety I know very well from multiple trips in the broader area around Segovia and in the D.O. of Rueda. Sourced from own-rooted vines averaging more than 150 years in age, it is highly detailed in both aroma and flavor, with notes recalling wild grasses, dried herbs, dried apricots, and fresh lemons. I know of no other Verdejo priced this high except for its barrel-fermented big brother, raising the question of whether this is worth the money, to which my answer is emphatically affirmative.

Bitter almond with smoked lemon and rich lees on the nose, following through to a full-bodied palate with zesty lemon flavors. Love the taut texture on the palate, which is tense, dry and bright. An excellent verdejo. Drink on release.

Light yellow in the glass, this wine has aromas of tangerine and lemon zest. Full on the palate, it conveys flavors of bergamot, yellow currant, aniseed and a touch of crumbled sage. Refreshing acidity bathes the palate from first sip through finish.

"The 2020 Quintaluna is pure Verdejo from small plots on sandy soils in the province of Segovia, fermented in stainless steel with indigenous yeasts. They still use grapes from external suppliers but are working toward using 100% their own grapes (which they might achieve in 2023); therefore, the wine is not certified organic, because some of the vineyards from the growers are not certified. It has a balsamic nose reminiscent of bay leaf, dried yellow flowers, chamomile and pollen intermixed with pit fruit. It has a dry palate and a chalky texture, with balance and finesse, with moderate ripeness and 13.5% alcohol. 110,000 bottles. - Luis GUTIERREZ, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (January 31st 2023), 92 pts

A fresh, medium-bodied white, with a salty underpinning and hints of toast, white blossoms and spices accenting flavors of melon, crunchy white peach and lime pith. Bright and well-integrated, with a lasting, lively finish. Verdejo. Drink now through 2026. 8,000 cases made, 389 cases imported.