Alcohol percentage: 18%
Vegan
Producer:
Described by Robert Parker as “The Romanée-Conti of Jerez” Valdespino is one of the oldest bodegas in Jerez, who can trace their history right back to the end of the 13th Century. Today Valdespino is owned by the Estévez family, who purchased the bodega in 1999.
They own 750 hectares of vineyards in Jerez, including the renowned single vineyard of “Macharnudo” Pago. They are one of the few bodegas to make single vineyard Sherries and Macharnudo is located five kilometres to the northwest of Jerez at 135 metres above sea level, with a southeast aspect and a 10% gradient. The soil is the highest grade pure chalk clay and marine fossils which absorbs and regulates the water supply fantastically well during the dry and scorchingly hot summers. Its friability allows vines roots to extend over 20 feet down to tap into the water table.
Under the control of Technical Director and winemaker Eduardo Ojeda, the wine is made from 100% Palomino grape, fermentation and aging takes place in 600lt used American oak barrels. Following a dry ferment, the wine is initially fortified from 13% abv to 15%. It starts its life as a Fino sherry aging biologically under a thick layer of Flor yeast (which forms naturally on the surface). It then starts a process of both aging and blending in barrel in the Solera of “Tio Diego” (literally “Uncle Diego”). After around 8-10 years the flor dies back, and the wine is then refortified and aged further – this time oxidatively – for another 10 years. By the time it is bottled the average age is over 15-18 years! Valdespino are also renowned for their VOS (Very Old Sherry) with over 20 years of ageing and VORS (Very Old Rare Sherry) with over 30 years of ageing.
The Bottle Shop rating:
A deep amber colour, the aroma is a mix of both the biological and oxidative ageing – by that bready notes, but also dried fruits and a hint of caramel and green olive. Very dry and complex, with lingering savoury flavours and well balanced acidity. This a tangy example which works brilliantly with Tapas style small plates such as Iberico ham croquettes, along with cured hams and salami.