Valdespino - Amontillado Coliseo v.o.R.S.

Luis Gutiérrez, Robert Parker's critic for Spain writes:

"The NV Amontillado Coliseo VORS is an extremely old (much older than the 30 years required by the VORS classification) and concentrated wine. It is unique in that it comes from Sanlucar de Barrameda, mainly from the Pago Miraflores, which produces very sharp wines. It has a dark mahogany colour with a light green rim and is very aromatic, balsamic and complex, with wild herbs, candied orange peel, spices and dates. On the palate it is extremely concentrated, dry and intense, but without edges, with lively acidity and an everlasting finish. It is an extreme wine that might be too much for some, but it is certainly unique and is one of the greatest wines in the world that should be enjoyed slowly and in small quantities. One of the best Amontillados available today.

I have often referred to Valdespino as "the Romanee-Conti of Jerez". Well, there I said it. For me, they represent quality and tradition at the top of the sherry hierarchy. The winery, soleras and brands are old: they were registered in 1875, but records of their commercial and winemaking activities date back to the 13th century. More recent history begins in 1999, when Jose Estevez buys the company from the Valdespino family. Today, Valdespino is the jewel in the crown of Grupo Estevez, which also includes Real Tesoro and La Guita. They store and age 35,000 botas of sherry and own 800 hectares of vineyards, 56 of which are from the Pago Macharnudo, on pure white Albariza soil, one of the best vineyards in the Marco de Jerez, and 17 hectares from the heart of Macharnudo are still fermented in bota and form the core of brands such as Inocente, Tio Diego, CP or Cardenal. All the wines have been carefully and slowly transferred to Grupo Estevez's new facilities on the outskirts of Jerez, where they are developed under the supervision of Eduardo Ojeda, the technical director and winemaker, who, as a wine lover, is very aware of his role in preserving these old soleras, wines and traditions."