Cuatro Rayas 61 Dorado en Rama

The NV 61 Dorado en Rama now displays information about the bottling date—November 2021, in this case—and the number of bottles (885) on the label. It has a hazy amber color and an expressive nose with notes of nuts and a touch of varnish, closer to an amontillado than a wine from Jura. It's a 50/50 blend of Palomino Fino and Verdejo with 17% alcohol and very good acidity and freshness (pH 3.18). It was selected from 13 butts after tasting over a hundred barrels from this ancient solera, where the barrels are not fully topped up and are allowed to develop a thin veil of flor yeasts that dies down during the autumn and winter and allow for a slow oxidation. It's powerful, pungent and very dry, with a long and tasty finish. Very characterful and rich. Bravo!