Ossian Viñas Viejas Verdejo

Ossian 2022 Verdejo Castilla y León

Ossian 2022 is the iconic wine of Ossian Vides y Vinos, the flagship white wine from Segovia, made with pre-phylloxera Verdejo from vines over a century old. A project of the family behind Pago de Carraovejas, Ossian revolves around a single mission: to demonstrate how great Verdejo can be when working with old vines, organic vineyard management, and Burgundian-style vinification. What exactly is Ossian 2022? It's a powerful, oak-aged Verdejo with plenty of depth, tension, and aging potential, made in the style of great white wines rather than an easy, fruity glass.

Vineyards and region

The grapes for Ossian 2022 come from Spain , from Castilla y León , from vineyards around Nieva in the province of Segovia. These are a mosaic of plots on the terraces of the Voltoya River, with sandy and gravelly soils that once thwarted phylloxera, so that a significant portion of the vines are still ungrafted and survive on pre-phylloxera roots. Many of these Verdejo vines are 100 to 200 years old and are trained as bush vines, with very low yields and remarkably concentrated fruit. The vineyards are farmed entirely organically, with natural fertilization and a strong focus on soil biology, so that the plants adapt well to the extreme continental climate with cold winters, hot summers, and large temperature variations between day and night. Ossian emphatically positions these vineyards as a piece of living viticultural history, in which Segovia-Verdejo and terroir take center stage.

Vinification and maturation

The harvest for Ossian 2022 is entirely hand-picked, with the grapes brought to the cellar in small crates and rigorously selected once again. The bunches are then gently pressed, and only the free-flowing juice is used for the wine. The must is fermented with indigenous yeasts in wooden barrels and large foudres of various sizes, ensuring slow, controlled fermentation and added texture. The wine then matures for approximately nine months on its lees in French oak barrels and foudres, with regular stirring to increase yeast contact and develop the creamy texture. This combination of old vines, spontaneous fermentation, and oak aging gives Ossian 2022 a distinctly Burgundian character, with plenty of tension between its rich mouthfeel and crisp acidity.

Grape composition

Verdejo – old pre-phylloxera vineyards around Nieva
Ossian 2022 is 100% Verdejo from organically farmed, very old vines, many of which are ungrafted and over 100 years old, which is immediately evident in the wine's concentration, complexity, and minerality.

Tasting notes and serving suggestions

Ossian 2022 has a deep, golden yellow color with light green and gold highlights. The nose reveals aromas of ripe pear and peach, orange peel, and white flowers, complemented by toasted notes, vanilla, a hint of almond, and hints of dried fruit and nuts from the oak aging. On the palate, the wine is full, creamy, and broad, with a glyceric structure, ripe stone fruit, subtle spiciness, and a distinct mineral undertone, while the fresh acidity provides balance and length. The finish is long and layered, with recurring notes of ripe fruit, spice, and a refined, slightly smoky accent, making Ossian 2022 a distinctly gastronomic wine. Serve it preferably around 10–12°C in a generous white wine glass and pair it with grilled or pan-fried fish, shellfish, creamy mushroom dishes, poultry in butter sauce, or refined vegetable dishes, where its powerful yet elegant style will truly shine.

Awards

• 2022 – 94 p (Robert Parker)
• 2022 – 94p (James Suckling)
• 2022 – 95 p (Guía Peñín)
• 2022 – 94 p (Tim Atkin, Wines of Spain Top 100 2024, only Verdejo in the list)