Structure

Bodyfull
Tanninlow
Aciditymedium
Sweetnessdry
Oakoak aged

Drinking window

Best 5 to 25 years from bottling.
bottling5 yrs25 yrs27 yrs

Critic scores

No critic score is published for this bottle that we can cite with a reviewer, a vintage and a review year, so none is shown. The rating in the header is our own.

In the glass

Full-bodiedLow tanninMedium acidityDryLong, Dry And Complex finish

Aroma: toasted oak, dried orange peel, coffee, rancio, varnish

Palate: walnut, dark caramel, leather, dried fig

Aged Oloroso of at least 20 years from a VOS solera; concentrated dried-fruit and rancio character with notable complexity from extended oxidative ageing.

What it pairs with

  • Iberian pork cheek
    Umami-rich braised pork finds a mirror in the wine's savoury rancio depth.
  • Aged Manchego DOP
    Crystalline, nutty aged cheese amplifies the wine's walnut core.
  • Mushroom risotto
    Earthy, savoury umami of wild mushrooms aligns with the wine's oxidative character.

How to serve San Rafael Oloroso

Allow 5 minutes from open to pour.

  1. Open and pour. Open and pour directly. No decanting required for this style.
  2. Serve at 8-10°C. Cellar temperature (8-10°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
  3. Glassware. Use a Sherry copita: the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
  4. Pair with. Iberian pork cheek, Aged Manchego DOP, Mushroom risotto. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.

History

San Rafael is Barbadillo's VOS (Vinum Optimum Signatum, minimum 20 years average age) Oloroso, named for the patron saint of travellers. These aged solera wines were historically maintained for religious ceremonies and notable events at the bodega. The wine represents the upper tier of Barbadillo's oxidative range before the Reliquia solera.

  1. 1880: San Rafael VOS Oloroso solera established at Barbadillo

Facts

Producer
Bodegas Barbadillo · visiting guide
Grapes
Palomino Fino
Classification
DO Manzanilla-Sanlúcar de Barrameda
Oak
Long oxidative ageing in American oak butts; VOS solera
ABV
20.0%
Price
€25-45 at retail
Drinking window
5-25 from bottling
First vintage
1880

Frequently asked about San Rafael Oloroso

What does San Rafael Oloroso taste like?

On the nose, toasted oak, dried orange peel, coffee, rancio, varnish. On the palate, walnut, dark caramel, leather, dried fig. Structurally full-bodied, low tannins, medium acidity with a long, dry and complex finish. Aged Oloroso of at least 20 years from a VOS solera; concentrated dried-fruit and rancio character with notable complexity from extended oxidative ageing.

When should I drink San Rafael Oloroso?

Drink 5-25 from bottling. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.

What food pairs with San Rafael Oloroso?

Iberian pork cheek is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Aged Manchego DOP and Mushroom risotto. Umami-rich braised pork finds a mirror in the wine's savoury rancio depth.

What grapes are in San Rafael Oloroso?

The blend is Palomino Fino. The wine is classified as DO Manzanilla-Sanlúcar de Barrameda.

Tags

cellar worthy dry fortified sherry full body low tannin medium acid mood bold mood contemplative occasion cellar occasion special old vines old world pairs with aged cheese pairs with mushroom pairs with red meat palomino fino price trade up

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