Antique Fino "F", Fernando de Castilla

Region

Jerez, Spain

Producer:

Fernando de Castilla

Grapes:

Palomino

Wine Description:

A rare breed aged Fino with only 1000 bottles made annually. Broad and full yet fresh with a deep, yeasty, nutty palate, fresh acidity and balanced alcohol.

Grapes are sourced from Fernando de Castilla's partners' vineyards in the Jerez district where the soil type is Albariza. Picking takes place in early September and the wine is made from the first pressing of grapes to give a light fresh style. Fermentation takes place at relatively high temperatures to reduce fruit flavour and produce a neutral wine which is perfect for the production of sherry. This undergoes natural malolactic fermentation. In the February after the harvest the wine is fortified with grape brandy (up to 15% abv) and is added to the youngest Criadera in the Solera. The wine then begins its ageing process under flor. Antique Fino is carefully selected from the classic fino and is aged for a further 4 years. It's fortified again, prior to bottling, and this time to 17% alcohol. This helps to protect the wine and make it more stable, requiring less wine making intervention. Little filtration is required and the wine is bottled with its natural colour. The additional age and higher alcohol also give the Antique Fino a longer shelf life than young 15% Finos. When the wine is found to have reached perfect maturity for this style (now a "Fino Pasado"), bottling commences. No more than two to three casks of this wine per year are bottled and the casks are replenished with the Classic Fino.

Tasting Note:

Rich and long with greater depth and complexity than a standard Fino - as such Jan refers to this as his 'Winter' Fino! Appealing salty tang and a long citrus finish. Very fresh and pure.

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Food Suggestion:

This should be served cool, but not very cold. It pairs well with smoked fish, Spanish charcuterie and mature cheeses. Jan enjoys this with scallops served with herbs and garlic.

Press Reviews:

Non Vintage IWC 2017
 Silver
Wines from Spain 2016
 Winner
Sommelier Wine Awards 2016
 Silver

Producer Description

Bodegas Rey Fernando de Castilla is located in the historic centre of Jerez. Its story began with the aristocratic Andrada-Vanderwilde family, who for two centuries provided grapes and wine for the production of sherry in the area. In 1972 Fernando Andrada-Vanderwilde took over some old sherry cellars and brandy soleras from a couple of local bodegas, and changed the name of the company from Fernando III to Fernando de Castilla.

In 1999 Jan Pettersen, a Norwegian with 15 years experience at Osborne, bought the company and also acquired a neighbouring almacenista, José Bustamente. He also formed a partnership with a local grape grower – to ensure consistent supply of high quality grapes – unusual for the smaller bodegas, who usually have to rely on co-operatives. He decided to focus entirely on high-end, complex sherries - in the process upgrading the bodega to one of the most interesting and highly regarded of the small independent sherry houses in Jerez.

Whilst the company also produces Sherry Vinegar, and their own range of brandies, the Sherries produced here are amongst the finest in Jerez  - from the pale, dry and elegant fino to the most unique antique wines.

There are two ranges: Classic, and the premium Antique range. It is the excellence of the Antique range of intensely pure and complex single solera Sherries that has largely driven Fernando de Castilla's reputation as masters in the production and ageing of fine, unblended, untreated  Sherries (they do not fine, clarify or aggressively filter any of their wines).