UBE Caserío de Miraflores Alta 2024

UBE is part of Ramiro Ibáñez's Cota 45 project, which explores the vineyards of Sanlúcar de Barrameda in Cádiz as still, unfortified wines rather than Sherry. This bottling comes from the Caserío de Miraflores Alta, a historic vineyard site that once produced a celebrated Manzanilla. The grape is Listán Blanco, the local name for Palomino, grown on albariza, the chalk white soil of the region that reflects sunlight and stores winter rainfall deep beneath the surface to sustain the vines through a hot, dry summer. The Atlantic and the humid poniente wind keep the fruit fresh and drive the wine's salinity. What defines this wine is nine months of ageing under a veil of flor, the film of yeast that grows on the wine's surface. Flor consumes oxygen and glycerol and releases acetaldehyde and other compounds, giving a dry, yeasty, saline character and a savoury depth, all without fortification. The wine is pale yellow and shows green apple, lemon and a distinct sea air, saline note over a chalky, doughy base. The palate is bone dry and taut, with keen acidity, a yeasty, almost briny texture from the flor and a long savoury, almond tinged finish. Serve chilled at 10 to 12 degrees. It suits fried fish and cured seafood.