As is tradition each year, the new limited edition Tío Pepe Finos Palmas Collection has been released, featuring four wines that showcase the elegance and craftsmanship of Jerez.
The Tío Pepe Finos Palmas Collection is an annual release of a limited number of rare barrel selected Fino and Amontillado sherries, that have continued to age beyond the usual four years within the Solera system and are all bottled ‘En Rama’ in their most delicate and natural state.
Exceptional and elegant, the 2024 edition of the Tío Pepe Finos Palmas Collection, was selected by the two generation González Byass wine-making team, Antonio Flores and his daughter Silvia Flores.
Antonio Flores commented: “Every year we are looking for something exceptional, intense and unique. It takes time to produce these wines and time to select them, but this year we think that we have found four incredible expressions where the flavours and aromas will delight Sherry fans the world over”.
Una Palma is a purebred Fino drawn from casks 29, 30, and 88 on the first floor of the Gran Bodega Tío Pepe. With six years of ageing beneath an intense white flor, it is pale golden in colour and offers the characteristic notes of biological ageing, including nuts and bakery aromas, with a pleasant savoury, salty finish. This wine pairs beautifully with classic Spanish food such as Ibérico ham and seafood paella.
Dos Palmas is a sublime, aged Fino that perfectly balances soil and flor. Selected from casks 76 and 87 out of the 148 casks that comprise the Solera on the second floor of the Gran Bodega Tío Pepe, this wine is an intense golden colour with aromas of acetaldehyde and floral hints, and powerful on the palate with savoury, saline flavours and a structured finish. It is an ideal companion for grilled fresh and vegetables, as well as mild cheeses and cured meats.
The casks selected for Una and Dos Palmas are the clearest examples of how far biological ageing can go in a Fino and clearly showcase the terroirs of Jerez.
Tres Palmas is a Fino Amontillado where biological ageing has been pushed to the limit. Aged for ten years in oak butts in contact with the flor, the precise moment of bottling is what makes this wine so special, as the flor reaches the boundary between life and death, marking the thin line between biological and oxidative ageing. This gives Tres Palmas a unique character, with an intense gold colour, light and elegant woody aromas, and a creamy, savoury, saline finish. Only one cask, number 8, was selected from the 149 in the historic Amontillado Fino Solera of La Constancia. It pairs excellently with bluefin tuna, traditional stews, aged cheeses and cured meats, as well as Asian and spiced dishes.
Cuatro Palmas is an extremely refined, Very Old Amontillado that encapsulates the essence of Jerez. Selected from a single cask, number 3, aged at La Constancia in the Solera Museum, this wine showcases the influence of albariza soil and the ability of palomino fino to age with elegance. Dark mahogany in colour with orange highlights, it has a steely rim typical of Very Old Amontillados, a powerful, elegant nose and saline flavours on the palate. Needing nothing other than time to be enjoyed, this sophisticated and striking wine is able to elevate any dish.
About Tío Pepe Finos Palmas
The Palmas designations, as described by Manuel María González-Gordon in his book ‘Jerez-Xerez-Sherry’, apply to fine wines from Jerez that are distinguished by their cleanliness, elegance and delicacy of aroma. These wines are the result of meticulous selection and classification by age and finesse in González Byass’ Jerez cellars, a tradition upheld since 1880. The number of Palmas corresponds to the wine’s age, with the youngest of the wines given one Palma and the older, rarer casks given up to four Palmas.
This year, Tío Pepe Cuatro Palmas ranked 11th with 99 points on James Suckling’s Top 100 Best Wines of Spain 2024 list. Selected from over 3,800 wines, this recognition reflects the excellence of Tío Pepe Cuatro Palmas, and the meticulous selection and classification process at González Byass’ Jerez wineries.
About González Byass
González Byass is a family-owned company steeped in a centuries-old tradition of crafting wines and spirits. Established in 1835 in Jerez de la Frontera, the company now operates in over 100 countries worldwide. Its extensive portfolio boasts 38 brands, featuring iconic wines such as Tío Pepe (D.O. Jerez), Vilarnau (D.O. Cava), Beronia (D.O.Ca. Rioja and D.O. Rueda), and Viñas del Vero (D.O. Somontano), alongside renowned spirits like Nomad Whisky and The London Nº 1 Gin.
González Byass wineries have evolved into sought-after destinations for wine tourism, with the Tío Pepe Wine Hotel standing out as the world’s first Sherry Hotel, offering guests unique experiences. The new generation of the González Byass family carries on this legacy by blending tradition with a strong commitment to innovation, sustainability, and quality. This philosophy is encapsulated in ‘People + Planet,’ the company’s sustainability initiative, which is further reinforced by its adherence to the United Nations Global Compact. González Byass is a family that nurtures the land, celebrates wine, and distils magic, sharing the joy of life with the world.
