Lustau Pedro Ximénez San Emilio Solera Familiar NV
Regular price £31.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Vanilla ice cream will never be the same again!
Tasting Notes
Colour
Ebony in colour with iodine highlights.
Nose
The aromas are reminiscent of figs, raisins and dates.
Palate
Enormously sweet, velvety and soft on the palate, well balanced, with a very long finish.
Producers
During the early years, Bodegas Lustau operated as an Almacenista'. The Lustau family began bottling their own sherries and exporting by 1950. In the 1980s they expanded their range and introduced the Almacenista range concept of buying and maturing casks from small bodegas to share excellent quality names and styles with enthusiasts around the world.
In 1990 the winery was bought by the family-owned Louis Caballero group. Bodegas Lustau is considered a world-class benchmark for top-quality wines. Lustau produces all styles of sherry, from Manzanilla through to Pedro Ximénez, as well as special bottlings, single cask, VOS and VORS sherries. The En Rama range, produced from select barrels from each of the three towns, is a highly anticipated release each spring.
Lustau has, over the years, won multiple medals and trophies, including Best Spanish Winery' and Best Sherry Producer' at the IWSC and the Len Evans Trophy for consistency (won in 2011 and 2016) at the IWC. Current cellar master Sergio Martínez took charge of the winery's oenological team in 2016, after more than 14 years' worth of experience with Lustau. Sergio has been awarded the Best Fortified Winemaker' Trophy by the International Wine Challenge three years in a row, following in the footsteps of the late Manuel Lozano who had won this award seven times. In 2022, Lustau celebrated its 125th birthday with a special release of three sherries in their Anniversary Collection, including a Manzanilla Pasada Papirusa, Amontillado Solera del Castillo, and a Vintage Sherry Añada 1996.
Production
Pedro Ximénez grapes are laid out in the sun after picking until they are practically raisins. After that, the fermentation starts slowly and its halted to maintain all the natural sugars.
The resulting wine ages for 12 years in contact with the air in Jerez de la Frontera.
Specifications
Year | Non Vintage |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Pedro Ximénez |
Country | Spain |
Alcohol content
|
17% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 12.8 units |
Type | Fortified Wine - Sweet Sherry |
Dietary Information | Vegan & Vegetarian |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches | Serve with rich desserts, cakes and pastries, or pour over vanilla ice cream. A perfect companion to strong blue cheeses. Ideal as a digestive. |
Origin | Jerez |
Appellation | Jerez |
Lustau Manzanilla Pasada de Sanlúcar Almacenista Cuevas Jurado (500ml)
Regular price £28.49 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%This Manzanilla Pasada of Sanlúcar is aged for 7 years in a solera of 80 barrels and the butts used for this are over 80 years old!
Tasting Notes
Pale straw in colour, this Pastured Chamomile is deliciously aromatic, with almond and aniseed hints and the characteristic nuance of the sea breeze. Dry, fresh and light, still with the essence and body of a Chamomile and with a refreshing acidity.
Producers
Accolades
- 2019 IWSC Silver Award Winner
Specifications
Year | Non Vintage |
Bottle Size | 500ml |
Cultivar | Palomino |
Country | Spain |
Alcohol content
|
17% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 8.5 units |
Type | Fortified Wine - Dry Sherry |
Dietary Information | Vegan & Vegetarian |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches |
Serve at 7 - 9ºC. Perfect as an aperitif, with tapas or as an accompaniment to seafood, oysters, white fish, smoked salmon and asparagus.
|
Origin | Cadiz, Andalucia |
Appellation |
DO Manzanilla Sanlúcar de Barrameda |
Lustau East India Solera Sherry (500ml)
Regular price £21.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%East India Solera is a sweetened Oloroso. The name refers to the East India Company, a British trading company that transported cotton, silk, spices, tea, saltpetre and other commodities from the East Indies. As a fortified wine (which lasted longer), sherry was taken along as ballast and to serve the ship’s crew on its transatlantic journey.
Tasting Notes
Colour
Dark mahogany in colour with green-amber edge.
Nose
It offers vibrant notes of maple syrup, brown sugar, shoe polish, raisin and chocolate beer nuts, all very well integrated.
Palate
On the palate, it is smooth and rich at the beginning, full of prune and burned oranges peel flavours. Provocative spicy notes appear just before the nuttiness and terrific acidity cuts through the sweetness. With a truly unforgettable finish.
Production
Each wine (Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez) is matured, separately in its own solera for 12 years. Once blended together, the resulting sherry is returned to a 45-cask solera for a further 3 years ageing. In centuries gone by, casks with sherry were lashed to ships sailing for the Indies and were found to develop an extraordinary smoothness and complexity. Lustau has revived this style of sherry in the East India wine.
Producers
Founded in 1896, Lustau has been a standard bearer for Sherry for more than a century. For more than the last few decades, it has been applying a boutique concept to its winemaking, building up a selection of some thirty wines from its own Soleras and others chosen from the stocks of the small Almacenista producers, and independent Sherry artisans. These are aged in all three of the cities of the Sherry area: Jerez de la Frontera, El Puerto de Santa María and Sanlúcar de Barrameda. Now Lustau has taken this quality approach a step further, releasing two Finos and a Manzanilla all En Rama. “En Rama” means “from the branch”, the idea being that this is Sherry in its rawest and most natural form, straight from the barrel with no filtering or fining. For us, this is the finest way to drink Sherry.
History
In the 17th century, they started to notice that the wine actually improved after such a trip, becoming smoother and more complex. This can be explained by the constant movement (i.e. more interaction with air and wood) and by the exposure to high temperatures. East India Sherry which was brought back after a trip became very popular (and expensive), just like East India Madeira. Even whisky was ‘improved’ this way.
The tradition faded in the 19th Century with the introduction of steamships, but the idea had a small revival in 1958 when a butt of Valdespino Solera 1842 was shipped on the Ben Line and compared to bottles that had stayed at home. The improvement was clear.
Awards
- Gold Mundus Vini
- IWSC Silver 2020
- Decanter Silver
- 90 points Wine Enthusiast
- 90 points Decanter
Specifications
Year | Non-Vintage - Average age 15 years |
Bottle Size | 500ml |
Cultivar | 80% Palomino & 20% Pedro Ximénez |
Country | Spain |
Alcohol content
|
20% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol | 10 units |
Type | Fortified Wine - Sweet Sherry |
Dietary Information | Vegan & Vegetarian |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches |
This wine is a perfect companion to light desserts and cakes, but can also be served with creamy cheeses or foie-gras. Try it also on the rocks with a slice of orange, simply delicious. Serve slightly chilled, between 10 – 12ºC.
|
Origin | Cadiz, Andalucia |
Appellation | Jerez |
2022 Equipo Navazos, La Bota No 119 Florpower MMXXII
Regular price £29.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Obscure yet delicious premium Spanish White!
Tasting Notes
This is the tenth vintage of Florpower (MMXXII, i.e., 2022), and released as La Bota 119 in the series. An unfortified white wine which follows vintage 2010 and 2012 (releases 44, 53 and 57) in origin and winemaking practices, and even more the 2014-2021 vintages (releases 67-114). With 2022 they continue to search for the point of balance and freshness, the perfect expression of the vineyard through the biological ageing process, which is now shorter than in the pioneering vintages.
Production
Exclusively from Palomino Fino sourced from vines aged between 55 and 85 years old in the blessed plot known as Pago Miraflores La Baja, Sanlúcar. In this vintage they have dispensed with tenuous ageing under flor in steel tanks after intense biological aging in traditional 600-litre Sherry casks. The wine is fermented in the same casks in which they later aged under flor for eight months until bottling at the end of May 2023.
Producers
Equipo Navazos was born out of a group of friend’s passion to share the authentic, traditional wines of Jerez de la Frontera, Sanlúcar de Barrameda, El Puerto de Santa Maria and Montilla … legitimately some of the greatest wines of the world!
These wines come from soleras and individual casks that remain, relatively neglected by the market in corners of many of Andalusia’s most prestigious bodegas. These unexpected yet fortunate findings have been made available to wine lovers around the world in limited quantities under the La Bota series (consecutively numbered editions, with the date of each saca or withdrawl date on the label) … in doing so respecting generations of expertise and care for these rare and beautiful wines. Today their efforts are increasingly focused on producing their own exceptional wines, such as Florpower, that truly express the character of Sanlúcar and its unique terroir. Outside of Andalusia, Equipo Navazos have collaborated with winemakers including Dirk Niepoort and Sergi Colet to develop authentic and individual wines that never fail to impress.
Accolades
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Palomino Fino |
Country | Spain |
|
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 8.6 units |
Type | White wine |
Dietary Information | Vegan & Vegetarian |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches |
Serve chilled with slated almonds, hard cheese and an abundance of seafood.
|
Origin | Cadiz, Andalucia |
Appellation | Jerez |
Fernando de Castilla White Vermut NV
Regular price £21.00 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Fernando de Castilla have added another vermouth to their portfolio - made from Palomino and Moscatel grapes and produced in Jerez.
Tasting Notes
The nose has pronounced moscatel grape and spice aromas. Semi-sweet and persistent on the palate, with characteristic wormwood notes alongside clove and thyme.
Production
Producer
Bodegas Rey Fernando de Castilla is located in the historic centre of Jerez. Its story began with the aristocratic Andrada-Vanderwilde family, who for two centuries provided grapes and wine for the production of sherry in the area. In 1972 Fernando Andrada-Vanderwilde took over some old sherry cellars and brandy soleras from a couple of local bodegas, and changed the name of the company from Fernando III to Fernando de Castilla.
In 1999 Jan Pettersen, a Norwegian with 15 years experience at Osborne, bought the company and also acquired a neighbouring almacenista, José Bustamente. He also formed a partnership with a local grape grower – to ensure consistent supply of high quality grapes – unusual for the smaller bodegas, who usually have to rely on co-operatives. He decided to focus entirely on high-end, complex sherries - in the process upgrading the bodega to one of the most interesting and highly regarded of the small independent sherry houses in Jerez.
Whilst the company also produces Sherry Vinegar, and their own range of brandies, the Sherries produced here are amongst the finest in Jerez - from the pale, dry and elegant fino to the most unique antique wines.
There are two ranges: Classic, and the premium Antique range. It is the excellence of the Antique range of intensely pure and complex single solera Sherries that has largely driven Fernando de Castilla's reputation as masters in the production and ageing of fine, unblended, untreated Sherries (they do not fine, clarify or aggressively filter any of their wines).
Specifications
Year | Non Vintage |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Palomino, Moscatel |
Country | Spain |
Alcohol content
|
15% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 11.2 units |
Type | Fortified Wine - Vermut |
Dietary Information | Vegan & Vegetarian |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches | Serve over ice with a slice of lemon or lemon peel, and alongside a dish of olives and roasted almonds. Or to make an extra-special Martini. |
Origin | Jerez |
Appellation | Jerez |
Fernando de Castilla Vermut NV
Regular price £21.00 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%A fantastic Jerez vermouth made from old Pedro Ximenez and oloroso sherry combined with 27 botanicals. Vermut has been brought back to life!
Tasting Notes
Marvellously mahogany in colour with rich aromas of dried fruit, nuts and herbal notes. Full-flavoured, silky and sweet with a characteristic, refreshing, yet bitter bite from the wormwood.
Production
Producer
Bodegas Rey Fernando de Castilla is located in the historic centre of Jerez. Its story began with the aristocratic Andrada-Vanderwilde family, who for two centuries provided grapes and wine for the production of sherry in the area. In 1972 Fernando Andrada-Vanderwilde took over some old sherry cellars and brandy soleras from a couple of local bodegas, and changed the name of the company from Fernando III to Fernando de Castilla.
In 1999 Jan Pettersen, a Norwegian with 15 years experience at Osborne, bought the company and also acquired a neighbouring almacenista, José Bustamente. He also formed a partnership with a local grape grower – to ensure consistent supply of high quality grapes – unusual for the smaller bodegas, who usually have to rely on co-operatives. He decided to focus entirely on high-end, complex sherries - in the process upgrading the bodega to one of the most interesting and highly regarded of the small independent sherry houses in Jerez.
Whilst the company also produces Sherry Vinegar, and their own range of brandies, the Sherries produced here are amongst the finest in Jerez - from the pale, dry and elegant fino to the most unique antique wines.
There are two ranges: Classic, and the premium Antique range. It is the excellence of the Antique range of intensely pure and complex single solera Sherries that has largely driven Fernando de Castilla's reputation as masters in the production and ageing of fine, unblended, untreated Sherries (they do not fine, clarify or aggressively filter any of their wines).
Specifications
Year | Non Vintage |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Palomino 70%; Pedro Ximenez |
Country | Spain |
Alcohol content
|
17% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 8.5 units |
Type | Fortified Wine - Vermut |
Dietary Information | Vegan & Vegetarian |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches |
Serve as an aperitif - over ice with a slice of orange and soda. Alternatively use in cocktails such as the classic Negroni, or Manhattan.
|
Origin | Jerez |
Appellation | Jerez |
Amontillado Del Castillo Almacenista Sobrinos De Antonio Caballero, Bodegas Lustau NV (500ml)
Regular price £37.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%This exclusive solera of Amontillado consists of 38 casks. It is aged for an average period of 18 years, in the cellars of the Castle of San Marcos in the coastal town of El Puerto de Santa María.
Tasting Notes
Colour
Beautiful bright amber colour with coppery reflections.
Nose
This wine shows aromas of hazelnut praline and candied orange zest with nuances of furniture polish and smoked wood in the background.
Palate
Dry, pungent and flavoursome, with refreshing acidity. Enormously nutty with a delicious salty spiced touch and an extremely long aftertaste.
Producers
During the early years, Bodegas Lustau operated as an Almacenista'. The Lustau family began bottling their own sherries and exporting by 1950. In the 1980s they expanded their range and introduced the Almacenista range concept of buying and maturing casks from small bodegas to share excellent quality names and styles with enthusiasts around the world.
In 1990 the winery was bought by the family-owned Louis Caballero group. Bodegas Lustau is considered a world-class benchmark for top-quality wines. Lustau produces all styles of sherry, from Manzanilla through to Pedro Ximénez, as well as special bottlings, single cask, VOS and VORS sherries. The En Rama range, produced from select barrels from each of the three towns, is a highly anticipated release each spring.
Lustau has, over the years, won multiple medals and trophies, including Best Spanish Winery' and Best Sherry Producer' at the IWSC and the Len Evans Trophy for consistency (won in 2011 and 2016) at the IWC.
Current cellar master Sergio Martínez took charge of the winery's oenological team in 2016, after more than 14 years' worth of experience with Lustau. Sergio has been awarded the Best Fortified Winemaker' trophy by the International Wine Challenge three years in a row, following in the footsteps of the late Manuel Lozano who had won this award seven times.
In 2022, Lustau celebrated its 125th birthday with a special release of three sherries in its Anniversary Collection, including a Manzanilla Pasada Papirusa, Amontillado Solera del Castillo, and a Vintage Sherry Añada 1996.
Specifications
Year | Non Vintage |
Bottle Size | 500ml |
Cultivar | 100% Palomino |
Country | Spain |
Alcohol content
|
21.5% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 11 units |
Type | Fortified Wine - Dry Sherry |
Dietary Information | Vegan & Vegetarian |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches | Serve as an apéritif, with “tapas” and nuts, or to accompany dishes such as consommés, foie-gras, cold and smoked meats, a cheeseboard, and even rich flavoured fish or seafood dishes. It is a wine that pairs perfectly with spicy Asian cuisine. |
Origin | Jerez |
Appellation | Jerez |
2020 Fuentes Del Silencio Mataperezosa
Regular price £39.99 Sale price £29.99 Save 25%These expertly crafted, artisanal wines were borne out of a passion project to revive old vines in this corner of Spain, and have helped put Jamuz back on the wine-producing map.
Tasting Notes
"The 2020 vintage is more restrained and elegant, showing white flowers and hints of nectarine. On the palate, the broadness of Palomino comes in, giving a hint of honeycomb and peach, alongside pastry notes from oak influence. The acidity is very bright and vertical, bringing harmony to the finish." Lenka Sedlackova MW
Producer
Fuentes de Silencio was founded in 2013 on the banks of the Jamuz River, to the south of the province of León. The winery gets its name from the fact that this town had many water reserves and was called the town of fountains.' This passion project is led by oenologist Marta Ramas along with owners Miguel Angel Alonso and his wife Maria Jose Galera. With old pre-phylloxera vines yards, many of which are over 100 years of age they grow the native varieties of Mencía and Alicante Bouschet in very carefully dictated plots. They currently have 24 hectares of vineyards and plantings of Mencía, Alicante Bouschet, Prieto Picudo, Palomino, and Godello. Galician influence here is notable, characterised by the presence of sandy soils and Mencia at high altitudes (800m above sea level) and a continental climate.
Although wine has long been produced in Jamuz, it has done so quietly. This small team is working to bring the essence of the territory back to life and ensure that each of their small plots reaches their highest potential while implementing environmentally-friendly winemaking practices and placing importance on the use of traditional methods. Not only are they the team creating high-quality, exceptional wines of very limited production but they are adding new value to this tiny, relatively unknown region. Jamuz is back on the map.
Production
A blend of Palomino and Doña Blanca, from very old (some pre-phylloxera) vines. Fermentation takes place in a mix of Cocciopesto (a type of amphora) and Austrian oak. Whole bunches are pressed and vatted to settle in the night-time cold. Fermentation takes place in French oak barrels where it remains for up to 12 months on its lees, with periodic batonnage.
Specifications
Year | 2020 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 50% Palomino; 50% Doña Blanca |
Country | Spain |
Alcohol content | 12% Alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9 units |
Type | White Wine |
Cellaring | Awaiting info |
Features | Vegan and Vegetarian |
Food Matches | Pairs exceptionally well with curries and spicy dishes, or chicken and turkey with hearty roasted vegetables |
Origin | Castilla y Leon |