Country: Spain  Region: Andalucia  Varietal: Fortified

Vintage: NV  Category:Sherry  Colour: Sherry Size: 37.5cl

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

Winemaker: Eduardo Ojeda

Product Allergens: Sulphites Label

Vineyards:

The soil where the Pedro Ximénez grapes are grown in the Jerez region is high in silica and calcic carbonate. It is deep and has a good oxygen content, and produces grapes with high sugar levels.

Vinification:

When the Pedro Ximénez grapes are harvested, they are left out in the sun to dry for at least two weeks. This concentrates the sugars through evaporation, turning them to raisins. A very sweet must is then obtained through pressing, which is fermented and then fortified to around 17%, using grape spirit of 96%. The wine is then aged in a Solera system made up of three ‘criadera‘ and a solera, made from American oak casks, and fractionally blended. The wine is aged 100% oxidatively and has an average age of ten years. The final wine must meet requirements to show standard characteristics and parameters expected of a Pedro Ximénez sherry.

 Tasting Notes:

A deep mahogany colour. Intense aromas of dried fruits, raisins, figs, and subtle notes of chocolate and coffee. Smooth and velvety on the palate, with great length and balance.

Food Suggestion: Wonderful with desserts, or even poured over ice cream.

Closure: Natural Cork  ABV: 18%  Classification: DO