Palacio de Bornos La Caprichosa Verdejo 2025

Palacio de Bornos makes La Caprichosa in D.O. Rueda, in the province of Valladolid. The fruit comes from a single vineyard of the same name, the winery's most distinctive site, set on poor gravelly soils at around 750 metres above sea level. That altitude widens the diurnal range, so the vines hold acidity while the grapes ripen slowly, and the free draining gravel keeps yields low and flavours concentrated. The bush trained vines are more than thirty years old and picked by hand. Fermentation runs in temperature controlled tanks to protect the aromatics, after which the wine rests four months on its fine lees. That lees contact releases mannoproteins that broaden the texture and add a subtle savoury depth without masking the fruit. The result is pale straw with green tints. The nose is intense, led by tropical fruit, white peach and citrus peel over a herbal, saline note. The palate is dry and precise, with green apple acidity, a rounded mid palate from the lees and a long, mineral finish. Serve at 8 to 10 degrees in a white wine glass. It suits grilled prawns, sole and fresh goat cheese.