The Palma range 2014 from Gonzalez Byass is now
available. This set
of four wines shows how the Fino character of Tio Pepe develops when it is given
the chance to age longer. As always, this is a very limited release, and I would
urge you to hurry if you want some.
After a
gentle summer with plenty of west wind, the flor was in very good condition,
and the firm’s oenologist and master blender Antonio Flores set about
preselecting the butts with the most intense Fino character. The final
selection was made by Antonio assisted by well-known blogger Jamie Goode
(wineanorak.com) and involved a lot of toing and froing between the bodegas La
Constancia, La Cuadrada and La Reservada.
A Palma is
a Fino which is outstandingly clean, refined and delicate. The number of
Palmas (cask markings) relates to the wine’s age. The Palma system is not used
much these days, unfortunately.
Una Palma:
A very fine
wine selected from three butts aged longer than standard Tio Pepe.
Dos Palmas:
From a
selection of two butts, aged longer and still with pronounced flor notes.
Tres Palmas:
Even older,
this selection from just one butt is a Fino-Amontillado with the flor at its
limit.
Cuatro Palmas:
This is now
a very old Amontillado, around 43 years, and selected from just one butt. An
absolutely beautiful wine and GB’s oldest Amontillado.
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