Since the 1980s, Rainera P. Marín’s amontillado soleras were made from very different soleras that were labeled “Manzanilla Pasada” in the cellar. After 2007, most of these traditionally labeled stocks were strictly restructured. The finest and unique barrels were selected, their contents refreshed with real (and unfortified) manzanilla pasada (this is a natural amontillado), to create an amontillado solera. In June 2012, a dozen of these casks were selected for the No. 37 release. More than half of that wine was returned to certain casks for additional maturation, separate from the rest, and this is what we now present as La Bota de Amontillado 95 “Navazos”. It has retained most of its characteristic freshness, as well as the notes of aromatic spices, baked sweet potato and caramel, more intense than ever. It is a delicious amontillado, extremely dry, long, serious, complex, but also perfectly drinkable. The estimated average age of this wine is about 25 years.

It is best enjoyed in a large enough glass of white wine at 15oC, so it should be served slightly lower to allow for aeration. An excellent aperitif on its own, it also pairs beautifully with some dishes: powerful raw vegetables such as morcón orrice black pudding, baked lamb sweetbreads with garlic, fabada asturiana, spicy Asian food … Needless to say, it is an excellent match with a wide variety of cheeses, both hard and soft.