Amontillado NV, Bodegas Maestro Sierra, Jerez (37.5cl)

Elegant, subtle, amber and balanced.

The passing time and its core idea of quality over quantity have made El Maestro Sierra wines into little works of art; wines of extreme age and quality, and recognized all over the world. That is the summary of the philosophy of the winery that, after a stage of direction since 1976 by the exceptional figure of Mrs. Pilar Plá Pechovierto, now faces a new one with her daughter, Maria del Carmen Borrego Plá. A calm and gradual transfer throughout the last years in which the winery, teacher and scientist has been adding to the already extraordinary business work of her mother her personal imprint deepening with scientific rigor in the diffusion of the Sherry wines culture.

Before and now, in the new stage, the winery has deserved to be included, twice in the last ten years among the 100 Best Wineries in the World, in 2011 and 2017.

The Amontillado is a particular wine, product of the fusion of two types of ageing in the traditional system of Soleras and Criaderas: the biological ageing under flor yeast, and the oxidative ageing.

The initial stage of the ageing is produced under flor yeast. During the first 6 years the wine will remain in criaderas where it will acquire pungent notes and a marked dry palate. After this, the wine is fortified up to 17% of alcohol in order to weaken the flor yeast and encourage the second stage of the ageing; the oxidative process, which will last for almost a decade. During this time the wine will loose its pale colour and will darken slowly. It will concentrate and acquire the characteristic touch of oxidation.

This double process of ageing makes the Amontillados extraordinary wines, complex and interesting.