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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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This is also aromatically perfumed with better layering to the spicier aromas of mostly red cherry and rose petal. There is markedly more refinement to the seductively, even generously, textured medium weight flavors that also exude a subtle bead of minerality on the impressively long, balanced and more complex finale. This is excellent and is a wine that could be approached young but reward a decade plus of cellaring. (from a .52 ha parcel) 2032+ ♥ Sweet spot OutstandingAllen Meadows, Bur
$383
$368ea in any 3+
$353ea in any 6+

Castell’In Villa Chianti Classico Riserva 2013

Sangiovese | Castelnuovo Berardenga, Italy

A Level Up from the Incredibly Good Chianti Classico! No wonder Walter Speller has it in his Top 5 Chianti Wines! There's a big difference between the mouthfeel of Sangiovese for Montalcino and Chianti. Just like this one Sangio from Chianti tends to have line and length of tannin similar to that of varietals like Cabernet, all the way along your palate. Sangio from Montalcino tends to have broader mouther filling tannins, not necessarily bigger or more tannic, just covering the width of your to
$147
$140ea in any 3+
$133ea in any 6+
Albero is the result of a single annual saca (the castellano verb sacar is to take out or withdraw) of unfiltered or en rama Manzanilla, from the solera system of barrels, or soleraje which generates Barbiana Manzanilla. Barbiana is an Andalucian market brand (typically not exported) owned by Delgado Zuleta, and hence the little sister of the renowned La Goya Manzanilla. La Goya has seven clases, or different age levels within its soleraje. Barbiana is a little younger and has four clases (if we
$72
$69ea in any 6+
$66ea in any 12+
Ripe, elegant and softly spicy aromas include those of various dark berries, violet, lavender and a hint of exotic tea. There is again fine volume to the caressing but punchy medium weight flavors that possess a more sophisticated texture but not necessarily better depth on the youthfully austere finale. Note that there is enough underlying material as well as supporting tannins to suggest that this should add complexity with a few years of bottle age.Allen Meadows, Burghound 89 Points ♥ O
$194
$187ea in any 3+
$180ea in any 6+