Fine Solera Reserva brandy from Fernando de Castilla.
The colour of old mahogany and shows clean fruity and elegant aromas. The palate has a surprisingly soft texture and balanced and harmonious nuances of flavour.
Bodegas Rey Fernando de Castilla is located in the historic centre of Jerez. Its story began with the aristocratic Andrada-Vanderwilde family, who for two centuries provided grapes and wine for the production of sherry in the area. In 1972 Fernando Andrada-Vanderwilde took over some old sherry cellars and brandy soleras from a couple of local bodegas, and changed the name of the company from Fernando III to Fernando de Castilla.
In 1999 Jan Pettersen, a Norwegian with 15 years experience at Osborne, bought the company and also acquired a neighbouring almacenista, José Bustamente. He also formed a partnership with a local grape grower - to ensure consistent supply of high quality grapes - unusual for the smaller bodegas, who usually have to rely on co-operatives. He decided to focus entirely on high-end, complex sherries - in the process upgrading the bodega to one of the most interesting and highly regarded of the small independent sherry houses in Jerez.
Produced in the Jerez region of Andalusia, Spain.
Pot still distillates are aged in barrels that have previously contained old Oloroso and Amontillado sherries. The ageing process is done using the traditional system of soleras and criaderas. For the Solera Reserva, ageing is for 1 year in new American oak, and 5 years in sherry casks - so a total of 6 years ageing.
Savour after dinner, or enjoy with the cheese course.