Manzanilla as a category is identical to Fino, except that it must be made in the coastal town of Sanlucar de Barrameda. The greater humidity in the sea air means more growth of flor, protecting the wine even more from air contact, and resulting in a slightly lighter style than Fino. This is a Manzanilla Pasada, a richer, older Manzanilla, bottled after the flor has begun to fade. It is also labelled ‘Bota NO’. Sometimes a cellarmaster will detect a character in one barrel (bota) a little out of kilter with the other barrels in a solera. If s/he finds that character interesting and wants to preserve it, the barrel will be marked with the word ‘NO’, and no longer be topped up from the solera. The average age of sherry within the barrel will thereafter increase rapidly, creating a more intense character. Equipo Navazos’ Bota No.120 is one such barrel, from the bodega Hijos de Rainera Perez Marin. Before being chosen for independent bottling, this would have been destined for inclusion in the ‘La Guita’ sherry the bodega makes. It is a remarkably fine example of its category, intense, salty and steely, with a chalky minerality and notes of dried fruit on the finish. (NT 02/02/24)

Producer

Equipo Navazos

Origin

Jerez, Sherry, Fortifieds SPAIN

Colour

white

Wine Style

dry

Dominant Grape

Palomino

Closure Style

cork

Maturity

ready

Bottle Size

50cl

Case Quantity

6

Alcohol

16.5%

Wine Score