Fino En Rama 2026 (Fernando de Castilla)

Minimal filtering, maximum taste: the yearly en rama version of FdC’s Fino

It’s the flor season: the typical sherry yeast is at its height during springtim, so almost every bodega is releasing an ultra-fresh version of their cornerstone Fino, with minimal filtering. Right in time for the férias, of course, which still represents a huge proportion of Fino sales in Spain.

We’ve just laid our hands on the latest edition of the Fino En Rama from Bodegas Fernando de Castilla. This wine consists of eight casks personally chosen by owner Jan Pettersen, from among more than 300 casks that make up the soleras of the Fino Clásico and Fino Antique. The goal is to combine the best qualities of these two established wines and take the finest characteristics of each to create a distinctly Jerez-style fino.

Until 2022, this wine followed a more dynamic system of bottlings dictated by market demand. Since 2023, Fino en Rama is a more timely release with yearly limited extraction, determined by oenological criteria. As in previous years, the winery will reserve part of the yield for further bottle ageing in its cellars. At the same time it is releasing a gift set containing a vertical tasting of the four vintages to date. The box is designed for educational purposes to appreciate the evolution of biologically aged wines.

The 2026 Fino En Rama has an average age of five to six years and comes from the historic Jerez vineyard of Añina.

Fino En Rama (15%, Fernando de Castilla 2026, 3600 btl.)

Nose: a nice hint of bread dough and crust, along with plenty of bitter almonds. Light hints of yeast, some dried herbs. A bit more exciting than the Clásico, I’d say. Then also dried nuts, a little iodine and green olives in brine. All the classic markers, perhaps a little on the lean side at first, becoming wider as it warms up.

Mouth: moderate acidity. The yeasty notes combine with a firm mineral profile, bitter herbs and lemon peels, as well as a faint earthy touch. There’s a certain creaminess to it but for me the more austere side of the flor stands out more. Green apple, even a hint of green banana peel – am I dreaming? Later also walnuts, more olive brine and a hint of sea water. Long and dry finish.

Availability: if you live outside of Andalusia, you’ll probably need to be patient. For now the bodega is only offering the vertical tasting set with four versions.

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Summary: Above-average intensity and a nice set of flavours. Not as unique as their Fino Antique but my bottle went down quickly.

4

Very good

Tags: 15%, En Rama, Fernando de Castilla, Fino

About the Author

Ruben is a Certified Sherry Educator who fell in love with sherry some 25 years ago, but switched to a higher gear in 2013 and started writing about it. Lived in Madrid for a couple of years, now back in Belgium. I also run a whisky blog over at www.whiskynotes.be