CAPELLANA

100% Macabeu from the historic “Finca El Renegado” vineyards, the oldest part of Bodegas Nodus estate. The vines are approximately 800 metres above sea level in the beautiful area surrounding the town of ‘Caudete de las Fuentes’. Pale yellow in colour; aromas of fresh citrus with hints of apple and pear with gentle mineral undertones. A very fresh and crisp palate with pineapple, citrus, pear and hints of white flowers.L&S (Sept 2023)

For the last thirty or so years, I have played a wine-hunting game at this time of year. The challenge I set myself is to find the two best party wines for the forthcoming festive season. The rules are simple: the wines must be under a tenner, drinking perfectly, competent crowd-pleasers, but also complex enough to satiate the taste buds of genuinely discerning wine lovers. This year, my chosen white and red come from the same property, making it the first time this has happened. My headliner white is a wondrous, certified organic Macabeu grown in the historic Finca El Renegado vineyards in the oldest part of Bodegas Nodus estate. The vines are high-altitude, approximately 800 metres above sea level, giving them fabulous freshness and verve. Graceful florals, crunchy green apple skin notes and crisp Chinese pear flesh mark the perfume and flavour. This is an intriguing, memorable and downright gluggable white wine and the label design is stunning, too.Matthew Jukes www.matthewjukes.com (Dec 2023)