Sherryfest - SF: Who Also Went?

I had a fabulous time at Sherryfest SF at the Grand Tasting, a Bodegas Tradicion dinner, and another Sherry tasting, Old and Rare. Who else went?

I did. But you already knew that. Just got home after working that weekend.

Wanted to attend - unfortunately could not work out the timing and was on a flight back to east coast. Would appreciate thoughts on the event.

I tried to sign up for the NYC version last year but couldn’t get past their captcha software.

Went and thought it was an excellent tasting. Since I went to the consumer portion and I had to take a couple of calls during the tasting, so I barely made through half of the tables.

It helped me to confirm that I still don’t see the point of drinking fino and I should drink more manzanilla, oloroso, moscatel. [cheers.gif]

I loved it. Some producers were pouring some really high end stuff. The couple of vintage Palo Cortados were superb.

How old were some of the older bottles?

I had an old (unknown how long) 1925 Solera Fino that had a low shoulder fill back in 2011 that was one of the finest Sherrys I’ve had to date.

  • NV Luis Caballero Jerez-Xérès-Sherry Fino Pavon - Spain, Andalucía, Jerez-Xérès-Sherry (11/11/2011)
    1925 Soleras - One of the most complex sherry’s I’ve ever had…words will not do this justice. Scents of mineral, sea air, leather, and earth-driven notes with a brilliant palate that just left me speachless. (95 pts.)

Posted from CellarTracker

I’d be interested in comments on the Bodegas Tradicion dinner. I’ve got some VORS Amontillado and VORS Palo Cortado that I’m itching to open. Will likely be able to track down some more of the former and some VORS Oloroso in the coming months.

Jay,
At the Tradicion dinner, the Amontillado VORS was the wine of the night for me. Upon opening, make sure it gets at least an hour of air for its saline and mineral notes to start singing.

Fantastic, thanks Barry! I think I’ll open a 750mL tonight, decant half into a 375mL to hold for longer and drink the rest of it over the few days.

As far as age, quite a few VORS wines. Gonzalez Byass had a very nice 1982 vintage Palo Cortado. Tradition had an even better 1978 Palo Cortado hidden under the table for those he thought would appreciate it. Lastly the winemaker at Williams & Humbert brought some 1982 single vintage bottled just for their seminar. It was originally a Palo Cortado as well, but had changed so much in cask, they classified it now as Oloroso. Staggering concentration, depth, and complexity. Probably the best Sherry I’ve had.

Would have loved to have caught that one…