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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Benoît Moreau Volnay 1er Cru Santenots 2022

Benoît Moreau Volnay 1er Cru Santenots 2022

Pinot Noir | Volnay, Burgundy

Both Alex & Benoît made a Volnay 1er Cru Santenots in 2022.Officially located just south of the Volnay border in the commune of Meursault, the vineyard's Chardonnays must take the Meursault title. Santenots Pinot Noir reds are usually lush and rich with good structure, ripe tannins and good ageability.The large vineyard is on the steep mid-slope of the east-facing Côte d'Or hillside (although with something of a southeast aspect here) above the flatter land below. Despite being in
$345
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$315ea in any 6+
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Passopisciaro Contrada 'C' Chiappemacine Nerello Mascelese 2022
The Contrada ChiappaManiche has 90-year-old vines and is located midway up the volcanic cone at 550 meters in elevation. The Passopisciaro 2022 Contrada C shows a very specific character with a pronounced mineral note that cedes to blue and black fruits and fresh blooming violet. These two sides of the wine play against each other to add pretty contrasts and intensity. This elegant wine spends 18 months in oak. Some 4,000 bottles were released.Monica Larner, The Wine Advocate 94 Points
$159
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Sadie Family Swartland Twiswind 2024

Sadie Family Swartland Twiswind 2024

White Blend | Swartland, South Africa

“Twiswind - "to argue with the wind" in Afrikaans - is the maiden release of a brilliant field blend from a 1.4-hectare site planted as recently as 2019. Featuring a medley of Chenin Banc, Cinsault Blanc, Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Grillo, Marsanne, Palomino, Picpoul, Semillon and Vermentino, it's like a who's who of the Mediterranean, with lime, greengage, grapefruit, quinine and juniper flavours, thrilling acidity and a mineral core. 2027-32.” Tim Atkin MW, 95 Points
$208
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$194ea in any 6+
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Nanclares y Prieto ‘Fogar do Castrino’ Albariño 2020
The 2020 Fogar Do Castriño feels more civilized, matured in a used chestnut barrel, and the notes from the wood feel subtler than in the 2019 when they had to use a new barrel. After the good experience with A Graña, they went for a chestnut barrel that they feel marks less than the oak and respects more the character of the Albariño grape. This feels balanced and vibrant, with pungent acidity and marked flavors, citrus freshness and great length. This is one of the wines that shows the ver
$110
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