Amontillado Aurora | Yuste | Jerez

Wine Identification
The Amontillado Aurora is a Sherry produced by Bodegas Yuste, located in Sanlúcar de Barrameda, Spain. This specific bottling is part of the historic Aurora brand, originally owned by Pedro Romero and named after Aurora Ambrosse Lacave. Bodegas Yuste acquired the rights to this label in 2015. The wine is a solera-based Sherry with no specific vintage date.

Origin and Winemaking
The grapes are sourced from the Pago Carrascal, a vineyard situated within the Jerez Superior zone of Andalusia. The soil consists entirely of pure albariza. The varietal used is 100% Palomino Fino. The winemaking process involves an approximate aging period of twenty years. Initially, the wine develops under natural flor yeast, contributing to its biological aging phase. Subsequently, it undergoes oxidative aging without re-fortification. This solera system is identified as the Conde de Aldama solera, which predates the phylloxera epidemic and is housed in Bodegas Los Ángeles in the Barrio Alto district of Sanlúcar de Barrameda. The resulting wine is a dry generoso with an alcohol content of 19% vol.

Expected Profile
As an amontillado, this wine presents the complex character typical of sherries that have transitioned from biological to oxidative aging. The extended maturation under flor followed by prolonged oxidative exposure in the Conde de Aldama solera imparts a dry, rich profile. The high alcohol content of 19% vol. suggests a structured and potent palate, supported by the mineral influence of the pure albariza soils.

Critics' Scores
Tim Atkin awarded this wine a score of 95 points.

Overall Character
The Amontillado Aurora represents a link to pre-phylloxera viticulture through its ancient solera system. It is a serious, dry Sherry defined by its long maturation and the specific terroir of Jerez Superior. The wine reflects the legacy of the Aurora brand and the traditional methods employed by the Yuste family since 1991.