SF | Pale gold, the nose informed by the profile of the dusty Bodega and barrel as much as by the yeasty machinations therein. A rich resonant aromatic, contemplative, with notes of white tobacco, iodine and winter flowers all evidenced, one's animation more than justified by the richly allusive spectral voices from the palate. Dry and yet unerringly complex, the rigours of the Solera less evidenced than on the aromatic, the workings of the yeas therefore to the fore. What a piece of work that is. 96
AJ | Mid to deep gold. Strange, but all of the wines in the first flight of Mazanilla look deeper in colour than I remember Manzanilla formerly looking. Slower sales so the wines are sitting longer in their soleras? Or were wines formerly colour-filtered? Or some other explanation? [But see below for discussion of Pasada status.] Classic flor aromas, with ample nut, apricot, umami in frank and straight-forward style. Pure, classical and driving, though to me this is clearly a Pasada style rather than Manzanilla ... as, indeed, are all of the wines in this first clip of Manzanilla. (I understand after enquiry that many are Pasada though this hasn't been noted on the crib sheet.] And very good, very classical, very true, very pure, very long as such -- spot on. If something is this good in (very lightly) fortified form, I can't really see why you would want to skip that stage ... Nothing exhausting here at all and every glass would beckon another.Drink Dates: 2024 - 2025. 93
DW | Rich, slightly honeyed, completely engaging nose and palate with fragrances of a dark, shady Andalusian almacen: coffee, nuts, golden sultanas. Salty geen olives and an olive oiliness of texture, too: but with life and zip and saline refreshment.Drink Dates: 2024 - 2025. 90