So this is the big daddy from Argueso, the award winning San Leon. I’ve written this up before, but as it turned up in a box of samples I tought it would be worth while re-visiting.  If you had a look in my fridge at home you’d find at least a  bottle of La Goya and a bottle of San Leon ready to go. For me, these are the best two examples of Manzanilla that are available in Australia, they are both regularly shipped out so you can usually find something that was bottled about 4 to 6 months ago, which is about the best we can expect on the other side of the world from Sanlúcar de Barrameda.

I have been trying drink a fair bit of stuff that is not from Spain or Portugal over the past couple of weeks in an attempt to keep the old palate broad.  A bit of 06 burgundy, a few older aussies, some 07 german Rieslings and a bit of 06 Chianti Classico, so its nice to get back in the swing of things with an excellent manzanilla.  I had written a new tasting note, but I think my old one captures this wine very well. One thing I will add is that this wine show what a bargain a sherry is in the world of ever rising prices. San Leon is now being imported by BibendumBTW.

Very pale, almost colourless. Classic nose, salt spray, chamomile, roasted nuts and flor.  Refreshing and highly drinkable.  This is not a simple sherry, the palate is complex, but subtle.  More nuts, light sea salt and tangy apple. There is also a textured, mealy character that I find very interesting.  You will need to order a couple of these, it goes all too quickly.  92 Pts.

Source: Bibendum Wine Co. Price: $19 (375 ml) Closure: Screwcap

Web: www.argueso.es