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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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Domaine Joannes Violot-Guillemard Pommard 1er 'La Platière' 2019
Deep and concentrated, the 2019 Pommard 1er Cru La Platière evokes aromas of rose petals, red berries, Indian spices, raw cocoa and loamy soil. Medium to full-bodied, layered and vibrant, with powdery tannins and lively acids, it's the most elegant young Platière that I've tasted from the domaine.William Kelley, 91-93 Points
$249
$239ea in any 3+
$229ea in any 6+
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Stéphane Magnien Morey Saint Denis 1er Cru ‘Aux Petites Noix’ 2022
There's a great purity & vibrancy to Magnien's wines. His Faconnières is superb! Once again there is a plethora of floral elements present on the elegant nose of red currant, cherry and pretty spice wisps. The succulent, fleshy and punchy middleweight flavors a really lovely texture that carries over to the youthfully austere and delicately balanced finale. Excellent. Drink: 2032+Allen Meadows, Burghound 91-93 Points
$336
$321ea in any 3+
$306ea in any 6+
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Domaine Jean Marc & Hugues Pavelot Savigny-lès-Beaune 1er Cru 'Aux Guettes' 2019
Here too there is a mentholated top note present on the more sauvage and forest floor nuanced aromas of red and dark currant. I very much like the sense of underlying tension suffusing the even more mineral-driven middle weight flavors that coat the palate with dry extract that buffers the very firm tannic spine shaping the beautifully long finale. This serious, austere and compact effort is quite tightly wound and a wine that is unlikely to make for especially interesting drinking young; then a
$127
$122ea in any 3+
$117ea in any 6+
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Domaine Thierry Laffay Chablis Vielles Vignes 2019
Showing exactly how important vine age is! A step up, an extra zip of salty acid and that mid palate weight with excellent length. Florals, white stone fruit a little citrus pith and plenty of fun. That slight primary edge that disappeared as it opened revealing excellent depth and length with restraint. A little more complexity. Mid palate texture is excellent. Hazelnuts and an extra layer of pleasure here. Excellent.
$67
$64ea in any 3+
$61ea in any 6+
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