Manzanilla La Especial

Bodega Valdespino is one of the oldest bodegas in Jérez, originating in 1264, when King Alfonso X gave Don Alfonso Valdespino the gift of land in the City of Jérez. In 1999, Valdespino was bought by Grupo Estévez who were able to fund and maintain the traditional methods for which Valdespino is famous. Valdespino Sherries remain among the very best quality available, and Inocente is still one the best Fino in the market, as well as being the only Sherry to be produced from the grapes of a single vineyard.

In 2015 Valdespino noticed the high quality of that particular harvest and decided to reserve a series of Manzanilla casks during the initial phase of biological aging, when the flor was in full development. This grapes for this Manzanilla came exclusively from an old vineyard in the pago Miraflores, probably the most renowed vineyard zone around Sanlúcar. In 2015 a total of sixteen casks were set aside and sealed by the Consejo Regulador as Manzanilla de Añada, maturing as a vintage sherry without the usual refreshments of the solera system. They aged separately and statically for 7 years.

Very intense, with lots of haybales and chalk, but also big hints of chamomile and rounder pastry notes. Roasted almonds, old apples and grapefruits peels too. It’s dry, zingy and punchy, with a lot of flor influence and maturity. The warming intensity even hints at a Fino sherry at times.