There is an English expression intended to belittle achievements: “a legend in his own lunchtime”. It is a comment on ephemeral glories. The phrase feels completely inadequate in the face of my own lunchtime today.

Today in Taberna Maitea I came face to face with such legends and so quickly that it hardly seemed real: Carta Blanca, Fino Caribe, Manzanilla Pochola, PX Viña 25, and the legendary Amontillado la Botaina. Dinosaurs that once ruled the earth and even in fossilized form are like a jeep ride through jurassic park. In addition there was the Callejuela manzanilla madura, the Viejo C P palo cortado and a mystery 2016 from Miraflores, all of them ourstanding, but still …

I should say right away that this was not an everyday lunch at the bar (although they have a great list these wines are not generally available). All I can do now is express my sincere thanks to Nico for such an outstanding lunch (the food was also brilliant – just see below) – notes of the wines will follow when I come down from the clouds.