Fernando de Castilla Oloroso Antique

Located in the heart of Jerez de la Frontera, Andalusia, the Fernando de Castilla estate crafts its Oloroso Antique from vineyards planted on the renowned chalky albariza soils that dominate the Marco de Jerez region. These plots, bathed in Atlantic influence and a warm, sunny climate, offer ideal conditions for cultivating Palomino Fino. The wine is then aged using the solera method in traditional Jerez cellars, where humidity and natural ventilation promote a long, oxidative maturation.

Made from Palomino Fino grapes harvested in the Jerez region, this wine is produced using gentle pressing and then vinified as a dry white wine before fortification. It then ages for an extended period using the solera and criaderas system, without flor, in old American oak barrels, where slow oxidation concentrates the aromas and structures the palate, resulting in a complex, full-bodied, and dry Oloroso.

This wine reveals notes of walnut , toasted hazelnut , dried fig , and date , complemented by hints of caramel , toffee , and sweet spices , as well as delicate woody and slightly smoky accents. The palate is full and dry, with a silky texture, well-integrated acidity that balances the richness, great aromatic concentration, and a very long, persistent, and flavorful finish.

The history of wine in Spain is so ancient that no one really knows who first brought the vines to the region. By the time the Phoenicians arrived some 3,000 years ago and founded the present-day cities of Cádiz and Jerez, viticulture was already well established, and Spanish wines were widely traded throughout the Mediterranean and North Africa. You could say that Spain is a winemaking miracle. After years on the sidelines of the world of fine wines, it is now a major player. Investment and ambition in vineyards and wineries are resulting in increasingly rich, complex (often high in alcohol), and spicy reds that are gaining popularity with international consumers. Proud to have more land dedicated to vines than any other country, Spain is only now beginning to capitalize on this resource in a consistent way. Spain is a chaotic jumble of regions and subregions, much like its landscape is a chaotic jumble of incredibly rugged scenery. A glance at a map reveals the climatic diversity among Spain's many wine regions, from the lush, green vineyards of Galicia on the northern Atlantic coast to the parched vineyards of the southeastern Mediterranean. Spain's saving grace for viticulture is the average altitude of its vineyards, which is over 600 meters. Many Spanish vineyards are thus able to produce grapes with good color and acidity simply because nighttime temperatures are relatively low and the grapes don't ripen until after a sufficiently long growing season. But there is a real treasure trove to be found for those willing to dig, and now that a class of connoisseurs has developed in Spain, all sorts of ambitious investors have done their part to change the image of Spanish wine. Today, a new generation of winemakers has quietly begun to craft spectacular wines and experiment with grape varieties that would have been unthinkable not so long ago. Wine remains an important commodity and an integral part of Spanish culture.