Protos Verdejo Reserva 2021

Protos draws this Verdejo from vineyards over 30 years old, part of its large holdings along the Duero in D.O. Rueda. The climate here is continental in the extreme, dry and hot in summer with temperatures above 30 degrees and hard winters that can reach minus 18, and the wide day to night swing preserves acidity and aromatic freshness in the grapes. Verdejo is normally made fresh and unoaked, but this Reserva takes a different route: 24 months in French oak followed by 18 months in bottle. The long barrel ageing and slow oxygen exchange fold in vanilla, toast and a nutty complexity, while the herbal and citrus character typical of old-vine Verdejo holds the wine together. The colour is deep gold. The nose leads with ripe pear, honey and citrus peel over vanilla and toasted bread, with a green herbal note underneath. The palate is full and textured, carried by firm acidity to a long, savoury, almond-tinged finish. Serve at 11 to 13 degrees in a large glass. It suits richer fish, white meats and hard cheeses.