2024 Manuel Antonio De la Riva Jerez Macharnudo San Cayetano Vino de Pasto

the history of the Bodega De la Riva

The De la Riva name dates back to 1838, when Manuel Antonio de la Riva founded his bodega in Jerez de la Frontera. With plots in the famous Pago Macharnudo, he was able to produce wines early on that enjoyed international acclaim. After a long period of silence, the estate was revived in 2016 by Ramiro Ibáñez and Willy Pérez , two leading winemakers in the region. Their mission: to bring the great terroirs of Jerez back to life and produce still wines that place the purity of Palomino Fino and the expression of the soil at the center.

the terroir of Macharnudo San Cayetano

Pago Macharnudo is regarded worldwide as one of the most exceptional vineyards. In a Decanter ranking, Macharnudo is even listed among the twelve greatest terroirs in the world, alongside icons such as Montrachet and Petrus. The San Cayetano plot is situated on a southwest-facing slope, at an altitude of over 100 meters, and comprises fifteen hectares of Palomino Fino. The soil consists of the rare albariza de barajuelas , rich in limestone and fossil deposits. This soil retains moisture exceptionally well and gives the wine its recognizable chalky, saline signature. Combined with the Atlantic climate and the cooling winds, a terroir is created here that has been renowned for centuries for its precision and elegance.

grapes and vinification

The Macharnudo San Cayetano Vino de Pasto 2024 is made from 100% Palomino Fino. Yields are low, around 3 to 4 tonnes per hectare, and the vineyard is cultivated organically and regeneratively. The wine is a still white wine and therefore not fortified, unlike classic sherries. This provides a pure expression of grape and terroir. Fermentation takes place with indigenous yeasts, without additives, and aging occurs in a large 2,000-liter oak foudre, on the fine lees, for fifteen months. Everything is done with minimal intervention to allow the natural tension and minerality to be expressed to the fullest.

style and tasting notes

In the glass, the wine displays a light, straw-yellow color with green reflections. The nose opens with notes of lemon, grapefruit, and green apple, complemented by spicy and briny aromas reminiscent of sea air and wet stones. With further aeration, subtle touches of anise, bread dough, and white flowers emerge. On the palate, the wine is crisp, linear, and lively. The high acidity and pronounced minerality provide tension, while the finish lingers long and salty. The result is a wine of immense precision and energy, which is simultaneously accessible and complex.

the wine press

The international wine press is reacting enthusiastically to this new style of Jerez. The Wine Advocate calls De la Riva’s Macharnudo wines “world-class Vino de Pasto, intense, fresh, and saline, with a long citrus-mineral finish.” Decanter emphasizes that Macharnudo rightfully belongs among the absolute top of terroirs worldwide. Other critics also praise the wine for its nuance, depth, and the exceptional combination of elegance and power. With a very limited production of only a few thousand bottles per vintage, this is a wine that combines scarcity with a great reputation.

serving and storage advice

The wine is best enjoyed at 10 to 12 degrees Celsius in a large white wine glass. When young, it already displays impressive tension and freshness, but with a few years of bottle aging, it will develop even more complexity and texture. Its aging potential easily extends to ten years after the vintage, during which the salty-mineral core deepens even further. This makes the 2024 Macharnudo San Cayetano not only a wine to enjoy now, but also a cellar investment for the serious connoisseur.

Order De la Riva wines online?

If available, you will find the official factsheet and additional information about this fine wine in the 'Attachments' tab. We will automatically send these to you upon ordering this wine. The wine is stored in our climate-controlled Wine Warehouse, and if you come to collect the wine, you will often receive a nice discount. You will see your discount immediately when you select 'Pick up' on the checkout page. We are located in Dordrecht, situated almost next to the A16 with ample parking. Click here for our address. You can read the full wine reviews from Parker, Suckling, Vinous, and Wine Spectator, among others.

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