This is a class manzanilla, one that I have had frequently over the years and could not believe I had never written a note about it this (evidently incomplete, shambolic and half arsed) blog. I had this last evening at the bar of la Malaje where it is part of a pretty cracking list of sherries by the glass: no longer just a haven for fans of Montilla Moriles. On the contrary this is a classic manzanilla from Delgado Zuleta in Sanlucar (they acquired B Rodriguez de la Cave in 1978 ).

The colour is slightly darker/blacker gold than most, and it has a salty/herbal/citric nose to it – brings to mind the wild plants on sand dunes by the sea. On the palate it is compact, with a sharp entry, a tasty, nutty and herby middle and a long, mouth watering finish.

A classic manzanilla with a bit of character to it (and a shocking omission from the blog up to now).

Bit of an old classic here and one I haven’t had in a while. 

Watery straw in colour this has a really herbal nose – certainly more green herbs in this one. Has a tasty palate without being as intense as some, a nice elegant profile, and a fresh finish. A good old standard. 

Was looking forward to tasting this wine. Callejuela is one of the new forces in Sanlucar, the bodega behind the exceptional Manzanilla de Añada and a top class range of manzanilla fina, manzanilla madura, and of course manzanilla pasada (Blanquito). As luck would have it, they had some at Angelita (as you may have realized from the distinctive marble bar top.)

I only had a glass and may need to come back and study this further (apart from anything else, I took no note whatsoever of any information on the label and can’t find any now, so don’t ask me about ages, saca, classes etc). My first impressions are of a heavier, punchier, more rustic style of wine, with more farmyard and aniseed notes in aroma and palate and less sharpness and verticality of profile than the other manzanillas of the bodega. Really characteristic, in fact, of a “river influence” manzanilla.

Vive la différence.