Since the 1980s and until around 15 years ago, the Amontillados of Rainera P. Marín were constructed with different soleras within the cellar: from the third criadera of Amontillado; to the little shrine of 1/3 Viejísima; and finally including solera 1/10 M. Pda. Vieja. After 2007, the greater part of these traditionally labelled stocks was strictly restructured. The finest and deepest butts were selected, and their contents were refreshed with true (and unfortified) Manzanilla Pasada to create an Amontillado solera that was slightly over 100-butt strong.
Nearly 10 years ago, Navazos selected a dozen of these butts for their release No. 37. More than half that wine was put back into casks for additional aging, and this is what we have here (the estimated average age of this wine is around 25 years). It has kept most of its characteristic freshness and notes of aromatic herbs, while baked sweet potato and caramel characters show more intensely than ever. It is a delicious Amontillado—extremely dry, but also long, serious and complex.
No. 37 was given a 19 by Ms Robinson and 95 from the Guía Peñín. This release is markedly more complex and yet there is no loss of freshness. It is best enjoyed in a large white wine glass at around 15ºC. An excellent aperitif on its own, it also works beautifully with powerful meat-based entrees, and is also a surprisingly good accompaniment to spicy Asian food, and of course, a wide variety of cheeses (both hard and soft).