Bodegas Yuste
La Kika Manzanilla Pasada en Rama
Region: Spain - Andulucia
Bodegas Yuste
Sanlúcar native Francisco (Paco) Yuste a true lover of Manzanilla his entire life, built a successful beverage distributorship in the provinces of Cádiz and Córdoba. In 1991 he purchased historic Bodega Santa Ana in Sanlúcar’s Barrio Bajo, including its centenerian “solera”, and began operation as an “almacenista.” In 2001 he added Bodega Los Ángeles in the Barrio Alto, restoring it to Manzanilla production and using it to refresh his “criaderas” at Santa Ana. Bodega Miraflores, founded in 1956 by a group of growers was acquired in 2010 to serve as production base. In 2015 Yuste’s acquisition of the classic Aurora brand provided impetus for export launch. This was followed in 2016 by purchase of Herederos de Argüeso with its famous Manzanilla, San León.
The Wine
Vineyard Profile
Vineyards in D.O. Manzanilla de Sanlúcar de Barrameda: Viña La Alamedilla estate in the Jerez pago of Carrascal and long term sources in El Puerto de Santa María’s Balbaína and Sanlúcar’s Miraflores.
- Soils: Chalky white Albariza
- Climate: Humid maritime air and persistent breezes, cool temperatures
Harvest Notes
- Biological aging in old barrels under “veil of flor” – natural yeast covering that develops under the humid conditions in the cellar
- Slight weakening of flor allows a small amount of oxidation after several years
- Aged over 12 years
- Botas showing greatest complexity from first criadera selected and bottled by hand
- Minimal filtering
Winemaker's Notes
Dedicated to Paco Yuste’s late mother Caridad (‘Kika’). Solera is located at historic Bodega Santa Ana in Sanlúcar’s Barrio Bajo, the Yuste residence. La Kika is over twelve years old, concentrated and green-gold, clinging to freshness. Individual botas are selected upon order for bottling directly by hand.
Wine Summary
100% Palomino; alcohol: 15%; vineyards in D.O. Sanlúcar de Barrameda; chalky white albariza soil; humid maritime air, persistent breeze and cool temperatures; bodega 800 meters from Gualalquivir estuary; La Kika biologically aged over 12 years in old barrels under veil of flor; small amount of oxidative aging over the long period; selected botas showing greatest complexity from first criadera are bottled by hand.
Technical Information
- 100% Palomino
- Alcohol: 15%
Reviews
92 Points
Spot-on. Refreshing, bright. Not sure I’d know it’s en rama, but it has fine roasted characters and elegance.
Decanter, November, 2019
91 Points
A little chalky, a little fat in its white-cherry fruitiness, this offers sweet scents of jasmine and butterscotch over sea salt and kelp. It’s clean and zesty, a wine for roast fish.
Wine and Spirits, August, 2021
17.5 Points
37.5 cl. Eleven years in cask.
Apparently the yeast is still alive before they bottle. A little more yeasty on the nose, more dried grasses, so much complex and rich flavour but still mouth-wateringly salty. 2019 – 2025
JancisRobinson.com, May, 2019
General Info
| COUNTRY | SPAIN |
| REGION | ANDALUCIA |
| APPELLATION | D.O. Manzanilla de Sanlucar de Barrameda |
| PROPRIETORS | Francisco (Paco) Yuste |
| FOUNDED | 1991 |
| WINEMAKER | Francisco (Paco) Yuste |