Marqués de Cáceres La Capilla Rueda 2024

Marqués de Cáceres, the Rioja house founded in 1970, extended into the D.O. Rueda in 2014. La Capilla is a white blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Verdejo, the two grapes that define modern Rueda. Verdejo brings a herbal, fennel-like character and citrus, while Sauvignon Blanc adds green freshness and aromatic drive. The vineyards lie on the stony, gravel-strewn soils of Rueda under a continental climate, where hot days and sharply cool nights preserve acidity and lift the aromatics, and the free-draining ground concentrates flavour. The wine is barrel fermented and aged six months on its lees. Fermenting in wood and resting on the spent yeast rounds the naturally crisp palate and adds a light texture and savoury depth, while stopping short of overt oak so that the grapes' green, citrus character leads. The colour is pale straw with green glints. The nose is fresh and aromatic, with green apple, lemon and white peach over herbs and white flowers. The palate is vibrant and dry, the herbal fruit framed by taut acidity and a light lees weight, closing on a stony, saline finish. Serve well chilled at 9 to 10 degrees.