NV El Maestro Sierra - Jerez Fino Sherry HALF BOTTLE (375ml)

El Maestro Sierra was founded in 1830 by José Antonio Sierra, a master cooper who built barrels for Jerez's grand sherry houses before setting out to make sherry of his own. As a working craftsman rather than a member of the region's aristocracy, he faced real resistance from the established bodegas, but eventually built one of the most respected almacenista houses in Jerez. The bodega has been run by women for generations, most recently by Ana Cabestrero, and remains one of the last in the region to move its wine entirely by hand, without electric pumps, using traditional tools like the canoa and sifón.

This Fino is made from Palomino grapes grown in the albariza soils of Jerez and aged under a protective layer of flor in a solera system of six scales, considerably more than most bodegas use. The wine spends a minimum of four years maturing this way, with some sources citing as many as six, developing its character slowly before being bottled with only minimal filtering, close to the en rama style. The bodega's location near the coast at El Puerto de Santa María exposes the aging wine to cool Atlantic winds that help sustain the flor year-round.

The result is a pale, dry Fino with a rich, savory nose of cashew, walnut, and toasted pumpkin seed, layered with ripe apple and a distinct brininess. The palate is dense and textured, dry and saline, with a long, lightly nutty finish. It is an excellent aperitif and pairs beautifully with Marcona almonds, jamón ibérico, or grilled sardines.