Bodegas Hidalgo Manzanilla La Gitana En Rama

Last bottle from this year's release and very enjoyable. Quaffed with squid and asparagus and, of course, it accompanied them well. Served very cool and really fresh and invigorating but with those wonderful saline, bready depths that make this so special.

So wonderfully, magnificently perfumed. A walk in a scent boutique, a stroll through an aisle of pure Andalusian flower fragrance. Bready on the palate. Full and challenging and really rather magnificent. Layers of texture. Long, lingering finish that delights. Utterly ridiculous that this costs roughly £20 per bottle and is, along with many of it's Jerez peers, one of the world's finest wines.

Finely perfumed and presenting complex layers of salinity with hints of iodine. Fruit feels compacted and concentrated which balances well with the incredible dryness. Long, long finish. A little less fresh than last year but eminently more powerful. Great with food. Great to sip in the sun in the garden whilst reading a book

Retasted against their En Rama 2024 which I did not like last year. This has opened up and is much more balanced than the last bottle. Breadth and flavour while retaining the typical dry crispness of good Manzanilla. Still A bit austere but has loosened up. The 2024 has more oxidative notes and is actually fruitier while obviously a touch less fresh. Almost more like a Fino with its depth. Both impress in their own way.

Tasted against the Tio Pepe En Rama 2025. C: light gold, lighter than the TP N: full, fresh, v dry, woody notes, less fruit than TP. T: light bodied, round although becomes dry and spicy, almost astringent, long finish, v dry and saline, nutty. Overall, v austere at first compared to the more fruity TP. However it has stature as expected. Good back label with plenty of information. L512051.