WTN: Ossian Verdejo 2007

[Sue Courtney]

This Spanish white is about as "offbeat" as you will find in New Zealand. It came up in a tasting themed 'Not So Common' that I went to earlier this week.

Ossian Verdejo Vino de la Tierra de Castilla y León 2007 - Spain
13.5% alc. Cork Closure.
Light gold in colour. Quite nutty - almond-like on nose - a hint of marzipan perhaps - and delicately floral. Very dry and lean to start with a lightly oily texture and bitter lemon and apple fruit with a sprinkle of white pepper and salt-infused zest. It then builds in vinosity and textural complexity to become quite rich on the long penetrating finish where a suggestion of tarragon-like herb lingers and adds intrigue.
Made from grapes off 180-year old ungrafted organic grapevines, it was barrel-fermented and had 9 months in oak although I couldn't pick up the taste of oak in this wine.
A project of Aalto’s Javier Zaccagnini and Burgundian enologist Pierre Millemann It is evidently one of Spain's great white wines and was inspired by Le Montrachet - although I couldn't see any resemblance to Chardonnay at all. But I really, really enjoyed this wine - until I saw the price - NZ$65 - and I then knew I would probably never taste it again. Will just have to imagine the delicate seafood that it would undoubtably pair perfectly to.
Found another store selling it for NZ$80 = $US50. See what I mean.

Cheers,
Sue

[David M. Bueker]

So are those sorts of mark ups the norm for imported wines? If so...yikes! I might start drinking Sauvignon Blanc.

[Sue Courtney]

No, but I think Ossian has 'cult' associated with it.

[Jenise]

Shocking prices, Sue, but Spanish Verdejo is indeed a wine to love. Never had the Ossian. Is the cult worldwide or just confined to NZ?

[Victorwine]

Hi Sue,
Was that price for a 750 ml bottle or magnum bottle?

Salute

[Sue Courtney]

Shocking prices, Sue, but Spanish Verdejo is indeed a wine to love. Never had the Ossian. Is the cult worldwide or just confined to NZ?

I think the cult is confined to the producer, Jenise. I had never heard of this before the tasting.

Hi Sue,
Was that price for a 750 ml bottle or magnum bottle?
Salute

750 ml bottle, Victor.