Description
This is the first of the wines from the Belondrade winery, and one of the best white wines in Spain. A mature, elegant white wine inspired by the Burgundy whites, that has in fact surpassed all expectations when it comes to quality from the Verdejo, the indigenous grape varietal of Castile. The wine has also undergone diligent ageing in oak of the highest quality and will continue to develop most favourably in the bottle for a further seven to eight years.
Here is the Belondrade y Lurton, an excellent Crianza white wine from the DO Rueda. A single varietal Verdejo, this Spanish white wine is made from over 30-year-old vineyards located at an altitude of 750 metres above sea level. The organically grown vines grow in soils composed of sand and pebble stones that bring a distinctive freshness and complexity to the wine.
I find the iconic 2023 Belondrade y Lurton to be unusually ripe, spicy and showy, with some exuberant notes of peach and a little oaky. It has a core of yellow fruit, pollen and hay. The palate is soft and tender, with integrated acidity, 14% alcohol and some power but with freshness and balance, with the classical bitter touch in the finish. 104,305 bottles produced. It was bottled in July 2024.
[94 Points, Luis Gutierrez – June 2025, robertparker.com]
