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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Benjamin Leroux Pommard 1er Cru 'Rugiens-Haut' 2020
Notwithstanding the Clos des Epeneaux, Leroux has always said that if there was one 1er Cru that would tempt him back to Pommard it would be Les Rugiens. A new long-term contract with the same owner as the Volnay Caillerets brought Leroux back to his old stomping ground in 2017 and so, once again he is working with the same iron-rich red clay soils that he did, so famously, at Comte Armand..“A brooding and reticent nose features liqueur-like aromas of poached plum, cassis and cool eart
$445
$430ea in any 3+
$415ea in any 6+
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Giacomo Conterno Barolo 'Francia' 2020

Giacomo Conterno Barolo ‘Francia’ 2020

Nebbiolo | Serralunga d'Alba, Barolo

The 2020 Barolo Francia is a soaring, classically austere wine built for the cellar. Medium in body and driving, with tons of mineral intensity, the 2020 is an evocative wine that makes me think about the future. This is what young Barolo should be - vibrant and stern, but with the purity of fruit that is typical here. The 2020 is so wonderfully alive.Antonio Galli, Vinous 98 Points
$850
$830ea in any 3+
$810ea in any 6+
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Fratelli Alessandria Barolo 'San Lorenzo di Verduno' 2021
The second of Fratelli Alessandria’s Crus from Verduno that sits immediately next to Monvigliero.This wine was introduced in 1997 and was the first single-vineyard expression from this MGA site. The Fratelli Alessandria 2021 Barolo San Lorenzo di Verduno (with 5,000 bottles created) has a sweet side with nutmeg and tobacco, but it also presents a solid core of cherry fruit and blackcurrant. This nicely balanced expression has more accessible tannins for medium-term drinking. Drink 2026
$245
$235ea in any 3+
$225ea in any 6+
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Giovanni Sordo Barolo CORK 2016
Feel the La Morra!

Giovanni Sordo Barolo CORK 2016

Nebbiolo | Piedmont, Barolo

From the Perfume of Barbaresco, the Barolo shifts to a savoury, earthy profile, the richness of La Morra fruit shining through! 80% La Morra. Immediate generosity has it open for action but so much more. A little chocolate and little coffee, savoury bits on dark fruit. There is a lot going on here with layers of flavours and tannins. The depth and length are impressive. Wonderful harmony and presence.Full, dense and obviously really bright. Rose, maraschino, fleshy red plum/red prune. More
$122
$117ea in any 3+
$112ea in any 6+
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