Valdespino's Fino Inocente is one of the icons of sherry.
Inocente is a single vineyard sherry that boasts an extremely high average age (10 years) and is made by one of the region's most quality-obsessed producers.
On occasion, Valdespino bottles an En Rama (unfiltered version) in magnum that's sourced from the best barrels in the Inocente solera. The releases are extremely limited - only 752 magnums were bottled.
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Fino and Manzanillas sherries are typically aggressively filtered. Simply put, something is lost when sherries are given a high amount of filtration. En Rama (or very, very lightly filtered) sherries reveal another level of complexity and texture.
Inocente comes exclusively from Macharnudo Alto, the highest altitude vineyard in the region at 140 meters above sea level. The renown of the vineyard has not only to do with the altitude but also with the purity and balance of its chalk soils.
Valdespino is a house where no corners are cut and where quality is pursued to the utmost. They are one of the last bodegas, for example, that still ferments in oak barrels (everyone else ferments in large quantities in more economical steel tanks).
This is all to say that Inocente is really special stuff. Cult sherry group Equipo Navazos selects one of its finos from Valdespino's Inocente solera. It's also worth mentioning that Valdespino's technical director is Eduardo Ojeda. Along with Jesús Barquín, he's the force behind La Bota. He's considered one of the sharpest intellects - and palates - in sherry.
Inocente shows a very unique, distinctly chalk-imbued power married to lovely elegance. There are clear saline notes and a citrusy acidity that courses through the sherry along with almond aromas and flavors.
Before closing, I should warn you that an extremely limited amount of these magnums are available. We're expecting a pretty quick sell-out. Please give us your ideal order, and we'll try our best.
To order, email offers@crushwineco.com or call the store at (212) 980-9463.
Joe Salamone
Wine Buyer
Crush Wine & Spirits
