2007 Valdelainos Verdejo Rueda, Spain

90 points a "Best Buy" designation and the #8 wine in the "Top 100 Best Buys of 2008" from the Wine Enthusiast: "Not many wines of this price are pulling legit 90-point scores. But this one deserves it. The wine delivers citrus and piquant green-fruit aromas, which are backed by honeyed melon and lime flavors. The texture is just soft enough to not bite, while the finish is wavy." (08/08) From Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar: "Green-yellow color. Pungent bouquet of lemon, lime, quince, dusty minerals and white flowers. Fresh citrus flavors display admirable purity and are braced by piquant minerality. Impressive for its precision and finishing cut." (Jul/Aug '08) From Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "The 2007 Valdelainos Verdejo is 100% varietal. The expressive nose reveals mineral, floral notes, and citrus. It offers greater richness, depth, and concentration than the blend. It is easily worth the extra $1.00. Drink it over the next 1-2 years." (08/08) Full of onion skin, lemon pith, and chalky stone on the nose it is not hard to imagine what you're about to taste. What is here is snappy and citrus based with great balance and a nice rich mouthfeel. Full of tangy lime, rich warm earth and plenty of lemon blossoms this is a superb value, fully capable to be an appropriate substitute to any Sauvignon Blanc or other crisp white on the market today. (Bryan Brick, K&L)