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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 'Santo Feudo di Mezzo' Rosso D.O.C. 2018
The Feudo di Mezzo from Terre Nere has more immediate generosity. Showing more of itself earlier than higher vineyards of Santo Spirito and Guardiola The purity of fruit and brightness is very impressive with blackberry, cherry and walnut undertones. It’s full, very tight and complete with really fine, polished tannins and a beautiful, long finish. Really balanced. Drink or hold.SucklingFeudo di Mezzo is a larger Contrada, sub-plots within it are important to recognise. One day I'll ge
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R.Pouillon 'Les Terres Froides' Premier Cru MAGNUM NV
The Fabrice Session 🎧 & 🎥 Inside!

R.Pouillon ‘Les Terres Froides’ Premier Cru MAGNUM NV

Chardonnay | Montagne de Reims, Tauxières

Often in the 'Pro' wine circles, you're asked to nail your banner to a mast in a blind tasting. Although a Chardonnay, Fabrice has fooled, without malice, many a Champenois, who has called this wine a Pinot. It's not so much the flavours, but, the body, richness, and, mid-palate power that this wine offers that can confuse.In the end, all of this is irrelevant. What you have in front of you is a wine of purity, line, length, excellent acid, with lovely ripe flavours, a little pith and grapef
$412
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Giovanni Sordo Barolo 'Monvigliero' 2019
Greater complexity than Ravera at this early stage in its life. Florals, earthy, truffled layers on red fruits with classic roses and woody herbs at play. Hints of baking spice, it feels a little more relaxed at this stage compared to the Ravera.Excellent tannins, fine, precise, long and even matching the fruit through the full length of the palate. Outstanding purity. A superb expression of Verduno.
$165
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Domaine Patrick Javillier Meursault 'les Clousots' 2018
Tasting this I reflected back on Allen Meadows note, couldn't put it better myself. Loads of fun to be had here! Now the 3rd white I've tried from Javillier the thread has been delicacy, transluscence with wonderfully weighted flavours.From Les Clous and Crotots. “Once again, the nose is cool and restrained with its aromas of green fruit, mineral reduction, citrus peel and an interesting hint of quinine. There is fine richness to the enveloping medium weight flavors that exhibit focused po
$235
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