Valdespino Inocente Single Vineyard Fino Dry Sherry

Description

[Though not the bottling tasted by John Szabo, MS, this release will reflect similar characteristics and quality.] Valdespino is the largest landowner in Jerez with some 800ha, divided in 18 vineyards. Their excellent Innocente is spontaneously fermented in cask, the last Sherry Bodega to do so, and brandy of palomino is used for fortification - also unique. Wines in the final blend run an average of 10 years old, 100% from Macharnudo vineyard, indeed from the highest elevation section of this excellent cru, with 40+ year old vines. It's a more mature style of fino to be sure, aged considerably longer than the mean, with strong flor influence and just the beginnings of more oxidative maturation, even if the nose is still exceptionally fresh considering the average age, beautifully refined, sophisticated and elegant, a grand cru wine for an exceptional price. You'd be hard pressed to find a wine of more intense personality and character for less money anywhere in the world. Length and depth are exceptional. A unique style, polarizing perhaps, but delicious. Last tasted May 2021. (John Szabo, MS,winealign.com)

Tasting Notes

The NV Fino Inocente must be one of the few wines in Jerez that is still fermented in 600-liter American oak botas, which is an incredible amount of work compared with fermenting tens of thousands of kilos of grapes (or even more) in a big stainless steel tank. This method was the norm of yesteryear, but is so labor intense that it was discontinued in most wineries, and gives a big diversity of wines, as each barrel has its own character, which contributes to the complexity of the blend. Furthermore, the bottled wine is on average 8 to 10 years old. One other thing that makes it apart from other Finos is that the grapes are exclusively from the high part of the Macharnudo vineyard, so this is a single-vineyard Fino. The nose is very complex, showing the effect of the long lees contact: chalk, dried hay, aromatic herbs and salty almonds. The palate is full, but at the same time elegant and balanced, powerful and fine, with the texture of a Meursault rather than a Puligny. A very complex wine, that manages to be both powerful and elegant. Inocente is great value for money. Drink 2013-2016. Score - 94. (Luis Gutierrez, erobertparker.com, Aug. 2013)

Tags

Dry, Fortified Wine, Fortified Wines, Sherry, Vintages, Wine, XD - Extra Dry