I have a ton of respect for Master of Wine Tim Atkin's wine reviews. When he named the 2022 Martínsancho Gran Vino de Rueda Verdejo his 2026 White Wine of the Year and awarded it 98 points, I immediately called my rep to schedule a tasting.
The rest is history. We tasted the wine, immediately understood what all the fuss was about, and proceeded to buy our distributor's remaining inventory (96 bottles). From the benchmark producer of Spanish Verdejo, this is a truly world-class white wine.
Here's what Mr. Atkin had to say:
"Made from the best grapes from Martínsancho's dry-farmed old vines, this is a brilliant expression of Rueda. The wine opens with aromas of mango, pineapple and peach that mingle with bay leaf, dried rosemary and pine needle. The palate is steely and driven with incredible tension and energy, finishing with intense salinity. It is from one of the top vineyards in the area and it certainly reflects its pedigree. A wine that will keep delivering pleasure for many years to come. Drink 2026 - 2032."
At just $18.99 and over 20% off the regular price of $23.99, it's an insane deal too!
Verdejo is one of Spain's great native white grapes, and it reaches its pinnacle of quality in the sandy, elevated vineyards of Rueda in western Spain. The grape produces wines with incredible freshness, energy, and complexity, and the Rodríguez family has been perfecting the art of Verdejo since 1780. They were instrumental in preserving the Verdejo grape and helping establish Rueda as one of Spain's great white wine regions.
They only make one wine, and this is it. Produced from old, low-yielding vines that were regrafted in 1972 from pre-phylloxera cuttings planted in the mid-19th century, this is Verdejo at its absolute best. Citrus, orchard fruit, fresh herbs, fennel, and stony mineral notes come together in a wine that is powerful yet incredibly fresh, with remarkable tension, depth, and a long, saline finish.
I don't often get the chance to offer 98 pointes for less than $20, but here we are. I bought it all, and when they're gone, we'll be waiting for the next vintage to land.
Stock up on this fish and seafood loving white while you can!
Josh Spurling
Owner, Operator, Wine Monger
Table Wine Asheville
