2023 Ossian Capitel

The 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 from them. 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 year 2022 saw a complex weather pattern. The winter was mild and wet, but the spring remained remarkably dry. As a result, budding of the vines did not begin until late April. In May, rapid phenological development followed due to the high temperatures. Flowering took place in June and proceeded well. The summer was exceptionally hot and dry, with multiple heatwaves, which caused sporadic stress to young vines but also ensured rapid and healthy ripening.

The grapes of Peña Aguda were harvested by hand on September 11, 2022, at the ideal moment of ripeness. The Capitel vineyard is located within the Peña Aguda estate, covering 1.10 hectares, and lies 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 nearly 200 years old, constituting 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 goal of maintaining 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. 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 during the subsequent weeks. The must fermented in 228-liter Burgundy-style vats. The wine then remained in French oak barrels without racking, where it aged on its lees for 9 months, followed by a very long bottle aging period. 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 notes, and freshly cut grass. The taste is powerful, complex, and fresh with tingling flavors and a distinct bitterness in the finish; the whole 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 pinnacle of Ossian and the pinnacle among Verdejos.

FUN FACT: The single vineyard for the Ossian Capitel was not affected by grapevine louse (pre-Phylloxera) and is therefore so old. This is because the louse moves through a system of tunnels in the ground. The soil of the Ossian and Ossian Capitel is so extremely sandy that the louse is unable to dig a tunnel (it collapses), and that is why these vineyards are so extremely old and still completely authentic.   In the 'Attachments' tab, you will find the official factsheet for this fine wine. We will automatically send this to you upon ordering this wine.

Ossian was the mini-project of Javier Zaccagnini, also a 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 is now the owner of Ossian, and they have continued the trend of producing wines of absolute top quality. The extremely old Verdejo vineyards are located in the village of 'Nieva' at 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 situated on sandy soils, meaning Ossian is still made from the original, ungrafted, authentic vines (thus pre-Phylloxera). At Ossian, they do not produce just any Rueda like the thirteen-in-a-dozen you find. No, on the contrary, Javier enlisted the help of a top oenologist from Burgundy. Together, they vinify the small yield of unique Verdejo in the Burgundian style, just as Pierre does with Chardonnay in Meursault and Puligny Montrachet. In some years, a top-tier cuvée is produced: 'Ossian Capitel'. In just a few years, Ossian has grown into Spain's most respected white wine.

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FUN FACT: In the 'Attachments' tab, you will find the official factsheet for this fine wine. We will automatically send this to you upon ordering this wine. The wine is stored in our climate-controlled Wine Warehouse, and if you come to collect the wine, you will often receive a nice discount . You will see your discount immediately when you select 'Pick up' on the checkout page. We are located in Dordrecht, almost next to the A16, with ample parking. Click here for our address.

Any fact sheets, photos, or additional documentation can be found in the Attachment tab. The full reviews by leading international wine critics such as Parker, Suckling, and Vinous are available on our website via the links next to the product image. This service is completely free for our customers.

Need advice on finding the ideal wine for your dish? Click here for our exclusive Sommelier. This service is free for Grandcruwijnen customers.

Food and wine pairings with the 2022 Ossian Capitel

• Pan-fried sea bass with fennel and lemon
  The wine's fresh acidity cuts beautifully through the fatty fish flesh, while the fennel and citrus aromas complement the flavor profile.

• Risotto with green asparagus and Parmesan
  The creamy texture of the risotto is balanced by the minerality of the wine. Green asparagus and Parmesan cheese form an elegant whole with the Verdejo.

• Veal tartare with lime mayonnaise and chives
  A fresh, delicate combination in which the wine adds structure and purity to the dish.

• Gently cooked lobster with beurre blanc and tarragon
  The wine is powerful enough to accompany this rich preparation, while the acidity and spiciness lift the flavors.

• Oriental scallop ceviche with yuzu and coriander
  The tension between acidity, spiciness, and the salty umami of scallop makes this a layered, exciting combination.

• Tagliatelle with truffle cream sauce and fried mushrooms
  The earthy notes of truffle and mushrooms complement the ripe and smoky components of the Capitel perfectly.