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Winery: Bodegas Menade

Country / Region: Spain / Vino de la Tierra Castilla y León

Date Winery was established: 2003

Grape Variety: Verdejo 100% (Pre-philoxera, Organic certified)

Alcohol Content / Volume: 13.5% / 750ml

Year the vintage was first released: 2005

Ratings: 91pts. Guia Penin

Good to know: Menade La Mision is made from 140 years old pre-philoxera vines of Verdejo. Organic certified. Only 9,000 bottles are produced in a year. Grapes are picked up by hand with an extremely low yield, approximately 7hl/ha(=1,000kg/ha). It is fermented with wild yeasts in stainless steel and aged for 8-10 months in a mix of 2nd and 3rd year French oak barrels(250L), two Burgundy new barrels of 5000L and three amphoras made with clay that come from vineyards. Wine is developed for a minimum of 2 years in the bottle. Bright golden-yellow color, citrus notes are harmonized with a complex aroma which is reminiscent of a bouquet garni; thyme, bay leaf and cardamom... pronounced! Wine is dry but fruit ripeness and concentration makes a sweet sensation in the mouth. A lot of flavors and lean minerality show up in turns. Silent but full-bodied.

Bodegas Menade is located near the banks of the river Duero in Rueda. It was founded in 2005 by the Sanz siblings, sixth generation of winegrowers and producers who focuses on making environmentally-friendly wines from Verdejo.

Vineyards are located over 700 meter above sea level, aiming to protect environment and keep biodiversity of the land. Viticulture without coppers nor sulfur is very difficult but the Sanz brothers always keep attention to make it comes true. Ozone is also used during the growing cycle as a natural disinfectant against fungus and bacteria. They even pioneered so-called “mobile trees” which are transported all around the vines to attract insects and birds that live in the vineyards and help to pollinate.

The 2023 vintage of Menade 'La Misión' is a profound return to the most authentic and earthy origins of the Verdejo grape. Crafted exclusively from "Verdeja"—an ancient clone sourced from hundred-year-old, pre-phylloxera vines planted in sandy soils as far back as 1890—this extraordinary organic white wine captures the rustic, electric energy of Castilla y León. Following a spontaneous wild yeast fermentation, the wine achieves its complex texture through a unique aging process distributed across French oak barrels, large vats, and clay amphorae crafted from the estate's very own soil. In the glass, it reveals an intense, brilliant golden hue and a highly complex bouquet of ripe white and yellow fruits, white flowers, fennel, and elegant smoky pastry, underscored by striking flinty minerality. On the palate, it is voluminous and exceptionally savory, perfectly balancing concentrated fruit and a surprising saline finish with a brilliant, vibrant acidity. Because of its immense depth, unctuous texture, and persistent freshness, this singular white wine demands deeply flavorful dishes; it pairs beautifully with grilled or raw seafood, rich baked cod, smoked delicacies, and delicately spiced Asian cuisine.