Tasting report May 2025
Thursday 15th May 2025 at Maxims, Moraira, attended by 63 members and guests.
A tasting, hosted by Patrick Harrild, of 5 of the sherry styles explaining history, the unusual production, fortification and maturation. Also, how producers contrive to create such a range of wines and styles within styles.
| Wine 1 Name and Vintage | Manzanilla ‘Pipiola’ Bodega Barrera. D.O. Manzanilla Sanlucar de Barrameda. Abv 15%. 100% Palomino |
| Price per bottle | € 5.07 |
| Wine 1 Description | Colour: light yellow with clear rim. Nose: gentle citrus with some salinity. Palate: revealed again some gentle saline and a surprising subtle soft fruit. Finish: a moderate length, residual salinity which people increasingly began to notice when they sought it. |
| Wine 2 Name and Vintage | Fino ‘Pando’ Bodega Williams and Humbert. Abv 15%. 100% Palomino |
| Price per bottle | € 7.02 |
| Wine 2 Description | Matured under flor for a minimum of eight years. Colour: a little darker than the previous Manzanilla, yellow/gold. Nose: clear, strong with suggestions of yeast and almonds. Palate: very dry with some body. Finish: long, dry and satisfying. |
| Wine 3 Name and Vintage | Amontillado Bodega Lustau ‘Escuadrilla’. Abv 18.5%. 100% Palomino |
| Price per bottle | €13.97 |
| Wine 3 Description | Colour: amber and a little golden with a clear rim. Nose: smokey and woody aromas. Palate: very dry, strong but balanced with a little saline. Finish: long, dry and a little spicy. |
| Wine 4 Name and Vintage | Oloroso Bodega Lustau ‘Don Nuno’. Abv 20%. 100% Palomino |
| Price per bottle | € 14.81 |
| Wine 4 Description | Colour: looks like a good cognac, rich golden marmalade colour. Nose: aromatic notes of damp leaves, tobacco, smokey wood and Christmas nuts. Palate: fundamentally dry with notes of dried orange, hints of liquorice, chocolate and nuts. |
| Wine 5 Name & Vintage | Vina 25 Pedro Ximenez Bodegas Gonzalez Byas. Abv 17%. At least 85% Pedro Ximenez |
| Price per bottle | € 8.20 |
| Wine 5 Description | Colour: dark mahogany. Nose: aromatic raisin, prune and tobacco. Palate: extremely sweet, dried raisin with a peppery heat and a long finish. |
| Closing Comments | A positively received tasting aimed at introducing or reminding people what extraordinary quality and value exists throughout the various Sherry styles. Also, how well they can be matched in food and wine pairings. The evening concluded with a vote of thanks by the President to the management and staff of Maxims and to Patrick Harrild for presenting the tasting. |
| Report prepared by | Patrick Harrild |
Further images can be found on our gallery page