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Now Viewing: Vinicola Hidalgo
Vinícola Hidalgo is the last word in traditional, family-owned and run bodegas in Spain. Founded in 1792 by José Pantaleón Hidalgo and still run today by his great-great-great-grandson. It’s policy has always been to produce estate-bottled wines in an area dominated by large negociant wineries. All of the grapes used at Hidalgo come from its own 500 acres of Palomino vineyards located in the albariza chalk soils of Balbaína in Jerez and Miraflores in Sanlúcar where the Guadalquivir River meets the ocean and where the family's bodegas are located. Here, the constant Atlantic breezes and the moisture they carry make it possible for the characteristic flor yeast to continuously protect and enhance Hidalgo’s manzanillas, adding over the years a characteristic briny snap to the wines. Hidalgo is best known for its flagship Manzanilla "La Gitana" (or gypsy girl), probably the best known manzanilla both in Spain and around the world. They also produce a outstanding range of sherry styles under the Napoleon label. Most exciting of all are the miniscule lots of ancient family reserve sherries, made in an ultra-traditional dry style and aimed at the most knowledgeable sherry aficionados. Despite the fact that many of these treasures have 40 to 50 years of solera aging, Hidalgo has chosen not to market them under the new VOS and VORS designations (requiring 20 and 30 years aging respectively), preferring to continue to designate them modestly simply as Viejo (old) and Muy Viejo (very old). Do not be deceived: these are among the very greatest of all sherries. PJ Wine is proud to be able to offer a select few a chance to taste these relics of two centuries of family history. We should also mention that at a recent blind tasting in New York of all the greatest Palo Cortados (luxury cuvées not sold in the US were shipped from Spain), The Hidalgo Palo Cortado Viejo was the top-rated wine of the event.
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