Very pure and classic attributes, fine polished and beautifully crafted. Quite earthy and masculine. Very dry and aromatic with walnut, spices and orange peel notes.

One of the most exceptional of the small, independent sherry houses, Fernando de Castilla was revitalised in 1999 by Jan Pettersen - a Norwegian with a passion for top quality sherry, and 15 years experience at Osborne. After taking over the cellars of the Sherry shipper Jose Bustamante, located next door to the main facilities of Fernando de Castilla, Jan quickly established Fernando de Castilla as masters of the production and ageing of fine, unblended, untreated Sherries. The bodega's reputation is based on the excellence of the Antique range of intensely pure and complex single solera Sherries whose award winning packaging makes them even more impressive. The Antique Palo Cortado was awarded 'Best Dry Fortified Trophy' at the 2011 New Wave Spanish Wine Awards, whilst the Antique Amontillado scooped the trophy for ‘Dry Fortified over £10’ at the 2011 Decanter World Wine Awards.

Grapes are sourced from Fernando de Castilla's partners vineyards in the Jerez district. The soil type is Albariza. Picking takes place in early September.

Oloroso typically comes from the second pressing of the grapes or the coarser wines. This wine does not spend any of its life under flor and is fortified in the February after harvest to 18% abv. This is then added to the first Criadera of the Oloroso Solera. The Antique Oloroso is bottled without blending, cold stabilization or filtration of any kind in order to preserve the subtlety, purity and distinctive aromas. On average this wine is 20 years old.

Perfect with hard cheeses or cold meats. Complements a good cigar.

"Beautiful aged nose with caramel highlights, with heady walnutty hues,’ said Sarah Riddle of Sketch, with Giancarlo Cuccuru of The Gilbert Scott adding: ‘Rich and complex, older style showing notes of baked almonds and some spice, with a long, warm finish."
Sommelier Wine Awards 2015, Judges Comments

"Tangy and complex, with notes of coffee, toffee, tobacco, bitter caramel, orange peel, walnuts, hazelnuts" "bags of character, this is well balanced with a lingering finish"
Sommelier Wine Awards 2014, Judges Comments

" ...open and expressive in the nose, with a predominant note of hazelnuts and varnished wood, a sweet touch of spices, brandy filled chocolates and orange rind. The perfectly balanced palate shows intense, clean, pure flavors and great length. 95 points."
Luis Gutierrez, The Wine Advocate #208, 29th August 2013

"Sweet caramel aromas. Elegantly fresh, fine and stylish. Great length."
International Wine Challenge 2012

"A wonderfully aromatic, bone-dry sherry with coffee, caramel and dates on the nose. 'Very complete and multi-layered,' said Angus Macnab. 'Really clean, with a lovely throat grip, very fine flor character and elegance,' said Angela Reddin."
Sommelier Wine Awards 2011, Judges Comments

"If anything exemplifies why sherry deserves the renaissance some say it is currently experiencing, this is it. Master of flor management, Fernando de Castilla has done it again, producing the bottle every judge wants to squirrel away, with its enchanting nose, exceptionally complex yet complete mix of coffee, nuts and dried fruit, and delightfully dry finish."
Sommelier Wine Awards 2011, Judges Comments

"Mellow, yet developed, with aromas of toffee and grilled hazelnuts. Intense and rich, with fabulous concentration of sous-bois and truffle, yet still fresh with great balance and an evolving finish. Fabulous with cheese, savoury soup or pata negra." "....there were bright jewels everywhere you looked here....to the sheer magnificence of the Fernando de Castilla sherries." "The wine that started the whole Critics' Choice phenomenon does it again this year. This is simply spectacularly good oloroso sherry that ought to be a must-stock for any decent wine list. Rich, intense, flavoursome, complex and beautifully balanced, with flavours of sous-bois, truffle, toffee and hazelnuts. An absolute star."
Sommelier Wine Awards 2009, Judges Comments

"amber/orange with aromas and flavours of dry orange marmalade. It has exceptional length. 93 points."
The Wine Advocate Issue 178, 29th February 2008

"Ex-Osborne Export Director Jan Pettersen's renovated bodega produces premium sherry in the old style, from individual soleras, bottled without blending, cold stabilisation or filtering of any kind. Suitable for vegetarians. Pale orange colour. Nutty nose yet very light and appetizing. Lots of rancio. Really interesting wine -a light, tangy Oloroso. Go for it! And serve with consommé or cheese. 16.5. Drink 2008 - 11."
Jancis Robinson, October 2008

"Spectacularly good dry oloroso sherry that genuinely takes the breath away. This ought to be a must-stock on any serious wine list and should be handsold to anyone who claims the dont like sherry. Utterly, utterly brilliant."
Sommelier Wine Awards 2008, Judges Comments