Barbadillo Manzanilla Arboledilla Poniente

Barbadillo Manzanilla Arboledilla Poniente comes from Barbadillo, the largest producer in the D.O. Manzanilla-Sanlucar de Barrameda. The name marks the Poniente, the cooler, damper Atlantic wind that blows from the west across Sanlucar, and the cellar masters here watch the weather closely, leaving cellar windows open behind esparto curtains to manage humidity for the flor. The wine is made from Palomino Fino grown on chalky albariza soil, which stores moisture and reflects light to ripen the grapes evenly. After fortification to around 15 percent it ages roughly five years under a veil of flor in the criaderas and soleras system. The flor seals the wine from oxygen and feeds on it, producing the dry, saline, almondy signature of Manzanilla, with the Poniente exposure giving this bottling extra freshness and grip. The colour is a bright yellow. The nose is powerful and concentrated, with almond, green apple and bread dough over a clear salty note. The palate is dry, vivid and structured, finishing long and savoury. Serve well chilled at around 7 to 9 degrees in a white wine glass.