El Maestro Sierra Amontillado 12 Year Sherry, Jerez, Spain (375ml)   

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The Palomino grapes that went into this Amontillado or medium dry Sherry come from sustainably farmed vineyards between 10 and 60 years old.

The wine was then aged in Solera barrels for 12 years before being bottled. The medium body boasts salty and nutty almond notes on its light brown coat of medium density color. It's lovely on its own but also capable of being paired with a starter or appetizer of a typical Andalusian meal. Another fine Sherry from El Maestro Sierra. El Maestro Sierra is today one of the most respected and revered Sherry houses of Jerez. But it wasn't always that way. Jose Antonio Sierra founded the winery in 1832. He was a carpenter responsible for making most of the barrels used in the soleras of Jerez but he always wanted to be an actual sherry producer, not just a supplier of the vessels that made sherry. Unfortunately for him, sherry houses were all run by the nobility and they didn't take kindly to an upstart trying to get in on their territory. After years of struggle he was finally able to grow his business some and establish himself as a leading Almacenista (stockholder of sherry soleras). He designed his label to depict his position - as a fox being chased in a hunt by noblemen on horseback. The house is run today by Pilar Pla Pechovierto, whose late husband was a direct descendant of Jose Antonio Sierra. Since El Maestro Sierra was never a large scale producer and historically didn't sell a lot of volume, their solera stocks are amongst the oldest and finest in Jerez.