Ángel Rodríguez
Martinsancho Gran Vino de Rueda Verdejo – 2020
Region: Spain - Castilla y Leon
Ángel Rodríguez
Ángel Rodríguez Vidal belonged to a family of winegrowers and winemakers from La Seca with a winemaking tradition that dates back to 1780.
Martínsancho is Ángel Rodríguez’ mid 19th-century vineyard in the Rueda. This special vineyard and Ángel himself are responsible for the preservation of Rueda’s indigenous Verdejo grape. Planted in 1972, cuttings from this special vineyard were used in 1976 to establish a 10.11 ha (25-acre) vineyard planted in the traditional head-pruned fashion and dry-farmed. Low yield “Verdejo” produces wines with a delicate floral nose, viscosity, a long finish.
Ángel is one of the founders of Denominación de Origen Rueda, which was established in 1980. In recognition of his dedication to the preservation of this variety, he was awarded the Cruz de la Orden Civil del Merito Agrícola by King Juan Carlos in 1982.
Today, the winery is run by his daughter, the winemaker Mª Concepcion Rodriguez, who makes wine with the same spirit and love of the vineyard as her father. Farmed using organic principles, in 2022 the vineyards were awarded status by CCPAE-Spain. Her sons, Arturo and Eduardo spent many long days with their grandfather Ángel in the vineyard learning his passion for viticulture and the basics of goblet pruning. Eduardo is currently studying a master’s degree in Viticulture and Enology at the prestigious University of Montpellier, France.
The Wine
Vineyard Profile
Historic 17th century vineyard in La Seca, Valladolid, D.O. Rueda.
- Altitude: 1575-1970 feet/480–600 meters
- Vineyard Area: 25 acres
- Soils: Alluvial gravel, over 30 feet deep
- Vines Planted: Regrafted in 1976 from cuttings from 17th century
- Vine Training System: Head-pruned
- Dry farmed
Harvest Notes
- Hand harvested
- Destemmed, pressed, macerated prior to pressing
- Free run juice settled in fiberglass tanks for 48 hours before racking and fermentation
- Wine settles naturally over the cold Castillian winter
- Bottled in Spring
Winemaker's Notes
A highly extractive, herbaceous and minerally complex Verdejo with long aging potential. Angel Rodriguez was awarded the Cross of the Civil Order of Agricultura for reestablishing the Verdejo variety’s prominence in the region of origin by King Juan Carlos.
Wine Summary
100% Verdejo; alcohol: 13%; 17th century vineyard in La Seca, Valladolid, D.O. Rueda at 1575-1970 feet; alluvial gravel soils over 30 feet deep; head-pruned, dry farmed vines; hand harvested, destemmed and macerated prior to pressing; free run juice settled for 48 hours; fermented in fiberglass tanks; wine settles in tank over the long, cold Castillian winter; bottled in Spring.
Technical Information
- 100% Verdejo
- Alcohol: 13%
Reviews
90 Points
This medium straw colored Verdejo opens with a grapefruit and lime bouquet with hints of wet stone and white peach. On the palate, this wine is medium bodied with plus acidity. The mouthfeel is round and vibrant. The flavor profile is a stony mineral and juicy yellow grapefruit blend with notes of ginger, white peach, and quince. We also detected some hints of tarragon. The finish is mineral-driven and quite refreshing. We would serve this Verdejo chilled on a warm day with fish taco’s or with a crab po-boy.
Ken's Wine Guide, March, 2022
16.5 Points
100% Verdejo from La Seca. Bush vines. 20,000 bottles. Historic winery founded in 1780.
Tasted blind. Clearly unoaked. Peachy, flowers and passion fruit. A very tropical and expressive style of wine. Creamy and umami style. Very round and very fruity palate. A bit Alsatian. Very well made aiming for a more primary and varietal profile. 2022 – 2024
JancisRobinson.com, July, 2022
General Info
| COUNTRY | SPAIN |
| REGION | Castilla Y León |
| APPELLATION | D.O. Rueda (La Seca) |
| PROPRIETORS | The Rodriguez family |
| FOUNDED | 1972 |
| WINEMAKER | Mª Concepcion Rodriguez |
| ANNUAL PRODUCTION | 2,083 9L cases |
| FARMING (SUSTAINABLE, ORGANIC, BIODYNAMIC) | Farmed using organic principles |