Ermita Veracruz (Spain) Verdejo 2003
Two in a row for Spain, but this wine couldn’t be more of a contrast to last week’s excellent Vina Albali Gran Reserva. Here we have a stunningly fresh and original white wine from Rueda, unoaked and allowing the power and vibrancy of the native Verdejo grape to sing out. From an estate of 25-year-old Verdejo vines, this wine positively explodes on the nose: tasted blind I’d have sworn this was Marlborough Sauvignon perhaps, with a pungent herbal streak, but even moreso, an overwhelming aromas of lychee and downy peach skin fruit. On the palate it is medium-bodied, but kicks immediately into gear with those punchy, zingy fruit flavours zipping across the tongue, a big whack of grapefruity acidity, and a long, powerful and tantalising finish. Just awarded a gold at the International Wine Challenge, this is a singular and delicious wine. £7.99 Original Wine Company.
