2008 Vinatigo Verdello - Canary Islands

The 2008 Vinatigo Verdello is one of the most unique white wines that we've come across in awhile.  The Verdello grape (not to be confused with Verdejo) is most widely planted on the island of Madeira where it is used to create it's eponymous style of Madeira wine.  However, this version of it isn't sweet.  It's aged in concrete tanks for about a year and a half allowing it to oxidize slightly lending the wine a bit of a fino sherry-like note.  It also has some briney notes that remind us of Manzanilla.  However, it's still chalk full of stone fruit, melon, and ripe citrus flavors as well.  Truly unique and truly delicious.

90 Points, Steven Tanzer's International Wine Cellar: "Bright gold. Energetic aromas of orange pith, pear and honeysuckle, with a deeper note of peach gaining strength with air. Juicy and firmly built, with brisk, refreshingly bitter flavors of citrus peel and minerals. Offers excellent flavor intensity without excess weight, finishing nervy and very persistent."