Cuatro Rayas Cuarenta Vendimias Sauvignon Blanc 2025

Cuatro Rayas is a Rueda winery in Valladolid, and this single-variety Sauvignon Blanc is made from a selection of vines over forty years old. The name, Cuarenta Vendimias or forty harvests, honours Ángel Calleja, the winemaker who led the winery for forty vintages. Rueda sits high on the Castilian plateau, where stony, well-draining soils and a wide day-to-night temperature swing hold on to the acidity and aromatic freshness that Sauvignon Blanc depends on. The old vines give lower yields and more concentrated fruit. The grapes are farmed organically, and the wine is made in a fresh, clean style with no oak, protecting the grape's bright citrus and green aromatics. It is pale straw with green highlights, and the nose is aromatic and lifted, with lemon, green apple and elderflower over white flowers and a touch of citrus peel. The palate is crisp and dry, with sharp acidity and a saline, mineral freshness that carries a clean finish. This is a wine to drink young and well chilled. Serve it at 8 to 10 degrees with fresh fish, goat cheese or a green salad.