Bodegas Naia K-Naia Rueda Verdejo 2019/2020  £11.95

BODEGAS NAIA K-NAIA RUEDA VERDEJO 

Located on the left bank of the River Duero, the winery dedicates itself to the production of high-quality white wines from their meticulously cared for vineyards, most of which were planted more than 40 years ago in the district of La Seca, one of the most highly renowned 'cru' of the region. With its 23.5ha of vineyards, and through working closely with local growers, it also has access to vineyards between 80 and 130 years old.

Since the first vintage in 2004, Bodegas Naia has established itself as one of Rueda’s star producers. Winemaker Eulogio Calleja crafts wines with great depth which, like the striking labels, stand out from the crowd. While most modern Rueda tends to be in a simple, aromatic, technological style, here the maturity of the vines, strict grape selection and extended lees ageing give wines with delicacy, ripe yet restrained stone fruit characters, lovely texture and the ability to age.

The grapes come from 98 acres of vineyards, the majority of which are 26 years old (and 5 acres of which are ungrafted 90-year-old Verdejo vines) all located in La Seca. The grapes are gently pressed and the juice settled for 24 hours. This is then racked to temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks for fermentation. The wine is aged on fine lees post ferment, for 3 months.

A nose of pink grapefruit, passion fruit, mandarin oil notes and lightly herbaceous characters. The palate is rich with minerality, racy lime zest acidity and a touch of stone fruit - giving a lovely texture and intensity, and just a touch of fennel on the finish. Fantastic with oily or grilled fish and new potato salads, or shrimps in garlic sauce.