Rueda

Bodegas Angel Rodriguez Martinsancho 2004

Angel Rodriguez and his wines (yes Angel is a bloke) are credited with preserving and reviving Rueda's indigenous Verdejo grape.  The story goes that Angel  had a plot of 200 year old verdejo vines.  The plot, or majuelo, is called Martinsancho, hence the name of the wine.  In the mid 70s Angel decided to grab some cuttings and plant 25 acres of the stuff.  This is the wine made from those 25 acres.  Most of the other verdejo vineyards in Rueda have also grown from these "mother vines". Verdejo has to be one of Spains best performing white wines.  Angel was even honoured by King Juan Carlos for his efforts.

Great story, now let me tell you about cork.  I've only had a couple of corked wines so far, perhaps I've had a good run.  This one wasn't so lucky, and it was the worst kind.  Scalped.  It was very subtle, where the wine should have been fresh and fragrant the wine had a very slight nose, still quite viscus, but an overwhelming sense of blandness.  Buggar.  I'll take this back for anther bottle.  NR

Source: Retail Cost: $30 Closure: Conventional Cork