Country: Spain  Region: Andalucia  Varietal: Fortified

Vintage: NV  Category:Sherry  Colour: Sherry

Producer:Valdespino

"Valdespino is one of the oldest bodegas in Jerez, with a history of sherry production going back six centuries. Back in 1264, Alfonso Valdespino was one of 24 knights who fought for the city of Jerez with King Alfonso X, against the Arabs. As a reward for his efforts he was given land in the Jerez region. Today Valdespino belongs to the Estevez family, who purchased the bodega in 1999.

They own 750 hectares of their own vineyards in Jerez, which is extremely rare in this region and allows them close control over grape quality. They are the only bodega to make single vineyard sherries and are also renowned for their VOS (Very Old Sherries) with over 20 years of ageing and VORS (Very Old Rare Sherries), with over 30 years of ageing. The Oloroso Solera 1842 VOS, for example, is produced from a Solera that was established in the mid-19th century.

The Fino Inocente is one of their single vineyard sherries made from grapes grown in their Marcharnudo Alto plot, in the High Jerez zone. It is also the only fino sherry that is fermented in oak barrels and boasts a Solera system with 10 'criaderas', while most fino sherries have only three. Valdespino trademarked the term 'Sacristia' (the area of the bodega where the best casks of sherry are kept) in 1910 and are the sole bodega permitted to use it. The inspiration behind the little padlock on the El Candado Pedro Ximénez bottle came from when a member of the Valdespino family put a lock on a barrel of Sacristia sherry as a joke because it was so good.

The Manzanilla Deliciosa is sourced from a single vineyard Miraflores in Sanlucar de Barrameda. On the palate it is very dry but crisp and fresh, with a slightly saline finish. Valdespino's Manzanilla Deliciosa 'En Rama', is a special selection from the same single vineyard 'Miraflores'. The En Rama is bottled unfiltered and displays wonderful intensity and rich concentrated notes of yeast and almonds.

The Very Old Reserva Sherry Vinegar is made from Palomino grapes and then aged in sherry casks. It is the benchmark for this style and fits in nicely with the Italian balsamic vinegars that we carry."

Product Features: Vegan;Vegetarian

Product Allergens: Sulphites Label

Winemaker: Eduardo Ojeda

Vineyards:

Valdespino's single vineyard (Pago) Macharnudo Alto is located in the privileged area of High Jerez. It is at 135 metres above sea level, with a south-east aspect and a 10% gradient. The white 'albariza' soil, typical of Jerez DO, comes from a layer of earth rich in marine fossils. Thanks to the high content of calcium carbonate, its clayey texture does not split; it is soft when wet and absorbs rain like a sponge. When it dries out it forms a hard layer which prevents evaporation. The reserve of moisture encourages the vine roots to develop, allowing them to access water when needed.

Vinification:

Unusually for modern day Jerez, fermentation is traditional and takes place in 600 litre American oak barrels. After 11-13% alcohol is reached, the wine is fortified to 15%, and the veil of 'flor' (yeast) appears on the wine's surface, protecting it from oxygen and transforming its components. The wine 'Sobretabla' spends one year in barrel before entering the solera system for fractional blending over eight to ten years, which gives it great complexity and consistency. There are ten barrel stages, or 'criadera', while most Finos have only three. Each stage adds extra complexity to the final wine. The finished Fino, which has an average age of ten years, is drawn from the last barrel, the 'solera'.

Tasting Notes:

Straw-yellow coloured. The aromas are delicate and complex, with notes of almonds and autolysis. On the palate it is savoury, with flavours of green apple, sea salt and toasty yeast. The barrel fermentation adds extra body and structure. Long and persistent.

Food Suggestion:

Almonds, olives and tapas - particularly deep fried seafood dishes.

Closure: Natural Cork  ABV: 15%  Acidity [g/l]: 3.5

Classification: DO