El Maestro Sierra, Fino Sherry, Jerez de la Fonterra, Jerez-Xeres-Sherry, Spain.
This bright and dry Fino Sherry is pretty, vibrant and crisp, perfect for tapas and summer sipping. El Maestro Sierra, established in 1830, is one of the top Bodegas in Jerez de la Fonterra, with an amazing array of young and old Sherries on offer, along with some old vines, this is a must try Sherry house and while their Oloroso, Amontillado and Palo Cortado are some of the must divine in the region, their Fino should not be over looked. The Fino made from Palomino is aged under Flor (a yeast film that protects the wine from early oxidation) in old American oak casks and bottled right off it’s lees, this gives this fresh and brisk Sherry it’s complexity and added weight on the palate. There is lots of salty brine and doughy notes on the nose and in the mouth with citrusy tang, tangerine, lemon and almond lead the way with a hint of pecan, peach and chalk. The history lives on at El Maestro Sierra, with many old stocks and commitment to tradition and heritage, and I hope to spend many warm summer evenings with this chilled Fino to reflect on, this is classy, elegant and pure that shows terroir and house style beautifully.
($17 Est. 375ml) 91 Points, grapelive