2022 Belondrade y Lurton – Belondrade Wines.
Belondrade Wines, located in Spain’s Rueda region, has become one of the leading white wine producers in Spain with their wonderful interpretations of the Verdejo grape.
Recently we had the opportunity to review the 2022 vintage of their flagship wine, Belondrade y Lurton. This is a wine that is no stranger to us, as we enjoyed several vintages of it over the past years. One example is the review of the previous vintage, 2020, which you can find here.
About the Winemaking
Belondrade y Lurton 2022 is the epitome of meticulous craftsmanship and the harmonious marriage of nature and art. This wine is a testament to the dedication and passion poured into each of its 23 plots at the organic Quinta San Diego farm. Each plot is carefully harvested by hand, then fermented and aged separately on its lees in French oak barrels, a process that ensures the individuality and expression of each parcel is preserved before the final blend is created.
The winemaking process of Belondrade y Lurton is a labor of love and precision. Spontaneous and controlled alcoholic fermentation in French oak barrels sets the stage for a 10-month aging on lees, a technique that imparts complexity and depth. After aging, the wine undergoes a meticulous selection and blending process, ensuring that only the finest expressions make it to the bottle. This final blend is then aged for an additional five months in the bottle, allowing the wine to harmonize and mature before release.
About the Wine
Our tasting notes for the 2022 vintage:
The wine pours a bright golden yellow, a visual prelude to the richness and depth that follow. On the nose, this Belondrade y Lurton is an aromatic symphony. The initial bouquet reveals notes of pineapple and mango, layered with the subtle elegance of white flowers and orange peel. As it opens, hints of peach and dry hay emerge, intertwined with a delicate whisper of vanilla and a faint saline edge that adds intrigue and complexity.
Upon tasting, the wine is full-bodied and luxuriant, enveloping the palate with tropical fruit flavors, notably pineapple and mango. These vibrant fruit notes are beautifully complemented by a subtle thread of vanilla and a delicate touch of orange blossom. The wine’s texture is creamy yet balanced by a bright acidity, ensuring freshness and vivacity. The oak influence is perfectly integrated, imparting a slight roasted nuance without overshadowing the primary fruit characteristics.
The finish is where Belondrade y Lurton 2022 truly shines. It concludes with a distinctive, faintly bitter twist, a hallmark of traditional Verdejos that adds a layer of authenticity and nostalgia. This lingering finish, with its saline and mineral nuances, invites another sip and ensures the wine’s flavors resonate long after the glass is empty.
Conclusion:
Belondrade y Lurton 2022 is a masterclass in winemaking, a wine that speaks of its terroir and the dedication of its makers. It is a wine that delights with every sip, offering a harmonious blend of fruit, floral, and subtle oak notes, all wrapped in a package of elegant acidity and complexity.
While this wine is crafted to be enjoyed within 6 to 8 years of its vintage, it is already showing remarkable elegance and balance. However, those who choose to cellar it will be rewarded with even greater depth and complexity as it continues to evolve.
We award this wine with a 96-point DWA score.
This review is written by our own Niels Aarts. Belondrade Wines is imported by Dutch importer Jean Arnaud and available through selected retail and hospitality partners.
Price: €55,00
Taste date: May 2024
Score: 96/100 DWA Score
Website: Belondrade Wines