Solera

The unique yeast that grows on top of the sherry protecting it from oxidation.

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Spanish term. A method of perpetually ageing wine in a “pyramid” of barrels. Wine for bottling drawn from the bottom layer. The barrels from this layer, are then topped from the next layer up, and so on until the top layer is reached. This layer is topped by fresh wine made that year. The barrels are typically left 5/6ths full. Each layer in a Solera is called a Criadera, or layers. Fino sherries will have 7 criadera, Manzanilla at least 9 and up to 20. Practically, wineries, simply place them in batches representing a criardera rather than building actual solera stacks. The image below shows the basics of how the system works.

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Terre Nere 'Le Vigne Niche Montalto' Etna Bianco 2022
A wee hit of sulphur blows off quickly in the glass. Holds this in good stead for a long life. Crystal clear. A layer of lanolin funk and spice floats above vibrant fruits that build on the palate fanning out offering great persistence.A little cleansing phenolics and fine acid balance a creamy mouthfeel. The fruit is nicely developed making for delicious drinking now with more to come.Spicy and full of tension, the 2022 Etna Bianco Le Vigne Niche Montalto bursts from the glass wit
$115
$110ea in any 3+
$105ea in any 6+
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Pereira D'Oliveiras 5 Year Old Tinta Negra Sweet (20% Malvazia)
Sweet - 100+g/l
A very elegant nose with a touch of rancio volatility that sings against a rich backdrop of toffee, prunes and a prickle of baking spice and sweet liquorice. Weighty but wonderfully fresh on the palate with sweet dried fruit, warming spice and a touch of something savoury, charry, almost medicinal. This wine walks the tightrope of richness and finesse beautifully.
$85
$81ea in any 3+
$77ea in any 6+
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Roda 'I' Blue Note Tempranillo Riserva 2018
Tasting this in Apr 2024 it showed sophistication refinement of tannin, stunning flow and harmony. Deeply layered and delicious. A note differing to Guitiérrez' and perhaps a factor of being some 2 years older when tasted. Delicious.The 2018 Roda I is in line with the other 2018s, lower alcohol, grainier tannins and a little more earthy rusticity that to me translates into more character and less polished wines. This was a blend of 92% Tempranillo, 6% Graciano and 2% Garnacha from 30+-y
$242
$232ea in any 3+
$222ea in any 6+
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Selbach Oster Wehlener Sonnenuhr Spätlese* 2019

Selbach Oster Wehlener Sonnenuhr Spätlese* 2019

Riesling | Mosel-Saar-Ruwer, Germany

"The 2019er Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Spätlese * was made from fruit harvested at 100° Oechsle and fermented down to sweet levels of residual sugar (81 g/l). It exhibits some smoky, minty, and ripe scents of pear, quince, almond cream, lavender, pineapple, and smoke on the nose. The wine reveals a more exotic and animating side on the delicate and subtly smooth palate, and leaves one with a feeling of presence and intensity, but all focused and chiseled in the long finish. 2026-2039."Jea
$88
$84ea in any 3+
$80ea in any 6+
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