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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 Marc Morey Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru 'Les Chenevottes' 2022
 The 2023 Chassagne-Montrachet Les Chenevottes 1er Cru has impressive purity on the nose, with very well-defined scents of lemon, orange pith and apple blossom. The palate has a powerful, weighty opening. This has a lot of concentration, with tropical notes coming through toward the finish, though the previous vintage had a little more tension. Give this a couple of years in bottle to be tamed.Neal Martin, Vinous 89-91 PointsThe 2022 Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Chenev
$345
$330ea in any 3+
$315ea in any 6+
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Forjas del Salnés 'Goliardo A Telleira' Albariño 2022
The 2022 Goliardo A Telleira shows lots of finesse. They changed the élevage here to 1,500-litre foudre, which they think works better for Albariño than barrels, no matter how big they are, and this wine clearly shows it. It has the finesse of the sandy soils and a polished texture (a little more sleek, a bit à la Chenin) but still lively and with pungent flavors.Luis Gutiérrez, The Wine Advocate 95+ PointsMy Note on the 2021: Simply delicious. Ridiculous for the coin. Citrus oil
$105
$100ea in any 3+
$95ea in any 6+
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Domaine Racine Santa Rita Hills 'La Rinconada' Pinot Noir 2019
The 2019 Pinot Noir La Rinconada Vineyard is a heady, dazzling wine. The 100% whole clusters lend striking aromatic top notes that soar out of the glass. Sweet red cherry, sage, rose petal, blood orange and lavender give this beguiling, layered Pinot tons of complexity. Savory, wild and constantly changing in the glass, the Rinconada has so much to offer. This brilliant, captivating Pinot from Racines has so much to offer.Antonio Galloni, Vinous 96 Points
$241
$231ea in any 3+
$221ea in any 6+
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Domaine Patrick Javillier Bourgogne Côte d'Or 'Cuvée Oligocène 2018
Bourgogne from Meursault Vineyards! Proving once again that you have to know the fruit source of any Bourgogne level wines. Javillier's are both from vineyards in Meursault. The Cuvée de Forgets from the Volnay side and the Cuvée Oligocène from the Puligny side.
$107
$102ea in any 3+
$97ea in any 6+
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