2021 Ossian Capitel

The 2021 vintage of Capitel represents the most unique expression of the old vines of Segovian Verdejo. The Peña Aguda vineyard in Nieva is characterized by its unique soil; slate, greywacke, quartzite and calcium-silicate rocks in which vines up to 200 years old take root. The vines penetrate the layers of slate and extract their purest essence. This soil, together with the pre-phylloxera vineyard, offers unparalleled complexity to a wine with exceptional nuances and inimitable depth. Capitel is a wine that transcends time. A Living History of Segovian Verdejo.

The autumn of 2020 was characterized by mild temperatures and average precipitation. January and February were very cold: the weather conditions through 'Filomena' were accompanied by temperatures below zero for several weeks. The first sap flow from the vines occurred in early April and bud formation occurred in the middle of the month. May and June were characterized by normal temperatures for the season and above-average rainfall. Work in the vineyard ensured that the vines were always healthy. Flowering took place at the end of June. The summer was dry with mild temperatures, averaging around 20°C, which allowed the vines to develop and ripen slowly and continuously, achieving ideal acidity in the grapes at the time of harvest. The Peña Aguda grapes were harvested on October 1.

The Capitel vineyard is located in the Peña Aguda vineyard, with 1.10 hectares, and is located on a vein of slate of a characteristic dark color south of the village of Nieva. Its geological origin is much older than the sandy soils that prevail in the area: it dates back to the Paleozoic era, more than 500 million years ago. Some of the Peña Aguda vines are almost 200 years old, which is a historical and viticultural heritage. The viticulture practiced here is of the utmost respect; aimed at preserving a legacy in the form of vines and with the aim of preserving the purity of this unique Verdejo grape.

The Peña Aguda grapes were harvested by hand in 12 kg boxes under strict quality control and selection of the grapes. The bunches are pressed whole, without destemming, in a vertical manual press and the grapes are crushed. The indigenous yeasts used in the spontaneous fermentation process reflect the purity and complexity of these grapes over the subsequent weeks. The must fermented in 228-liter Burgundian style barrels. The wine then remained in French oak barrels without transferring, where it matured on its lees for 9 months and then always receives a very long bottle aging. The wine was released in the spring of 2024.

The Ossian Capitel is produced from the grapes of the oldest vines (some even 200 years old) in the village of Nieva (Segovia) on slate soil at an altitude of 900 meters. This top wine has a creamy aroma with beautiful minerality, balsamic vinegar and freshly mown grass. The taste is powerful, complex, fresh with stimulating flavors and a clear bitterness in the aftertaste; the whole thing is very intense and almost spicy. It has the right concentration, structure and acidity and will develop even further in the coming years. This is the peak of Ossian and the peak among the Verdejos

FACT: The single vineyards for the Ossian Capitel are not affected by grape aphid (pre-Phylloxera) and are therefore so old. This is because the louse moves via a tunnel system in the soil. The soil of the Ossian and Ossian Capitel is so extremely sandy that the louse is unable to dig a tunnel (which then collapses) and that is why these vineyards are so extremely old and still completely authentic.   In the 'Appendices' tab you will find the official fact sheet of this beautiful wine. We will send this to you automatically when you order this wine. The wine is stored in our conditioned Wine Warehouse and when you pick up the wine you will often receive a nice discount . You will see your discount immediately when you choose 'Collect' on the checkout page. We are located in Dordrecht almost next to the A16 with plenty of parking. Click here for our address

Ossian was the mini-project of Javier Zaccagnini, also partner and director of Aalto in Ribera Del Duero, and Ismael Gazalo, whose family has been making wine in the region for years. The famous winery Pago de Carraovejas now owns Ossian and they have continued the trend in making absolute top quality wines. The extremely old Verdejo vineyards are located in the village of 'Nieva' and are 850 meters above sea level. The vines are between 100 and 160 years old, making this the longest certified organic vineyard in Castilla y León. The vineyards are located on sandy soils, so the Ossian is still made from the original ungrafted authentic grape vines (i.e. pre-Phylloxera). Not just any Rueda is made at Ossian, as you will find a dime a dozen. No, on the contrary, Javier hired a top enologist from Burgundy. Together they vinify the small yield of unique Verdejo in a Burgundian way, just as Pierre does with Chardonnay in Meursault and Puligny Montrachet. In some years a top-top cuvée 'Ossian Capitel' is made. In just a few years, Ossian has become Spain's most respected white wine.