There she is – this summer’s drawing of unfiltered Solear, seen here soaking up some rays on my bookcase (purely for photographic purposes). 

The colour is gold with the merest suggestion of green. On the nose it is very aromatic – well past chamomile tea and into salty herbs. I always think these manzanillas smell like sand dunes covered in wild flowers and this is no exception. 

In the mouth it is saline and pungently herby, really a forceful mouthfull. I find this one just a little bit bitter and spicy – a green, raw olive type bitterness – and really not juicy (unlike last winter), more of an aromatic, dry herb flavour than anything. Really a racy little wine.