Sanchez Romate N.P.U. Amontillado, Jerez de la Frontera

Sánchez Romate N.P.U. Amontillado is one of the great reference wines of Jerez, a profound and contemplative expression that shows the full arc of sherry ageing in a single glass. N.P.U. stands for non plus ultra, a deliberate statement of intent, and this is a wine made only from the finest, oldest solera reserves at the house in Jerez de la Frontera. It is rare, intensely complex and unapologetically traditional.

This Amontillado begins its life under flor, like a Fino, developing delicacy, salinity and tension through biological ageing. Over time, the flor fades and the wine transitions into oxidative ageing, spending decades in old American oak casks. This dual ageing process gives N.P.U. its extraordinary depth, combining the freshness and savoury edge of Fino with the richness and concentration of oxidative styles. The vineyards sit on classic albariza soils, whose chalky nature underpins the wine’s structure and saline precision.

Bodegas Sánchez Romate is one of Jerez’s historic houses, founded in the late 18th century and renowned for its long aged, character driven wines. N.P.U. is the pinnacle of the range, released only in tiny quantities and aged far beyond commercial norms. It is a wine shaped almost entirely by time, oxygen and patience.

Aromatically, the wine is staggering in its complexity. Roasted hazelnut, walnut and almond skin lead, followed by dried orange peel, chamomile, tobacco and antique wood. With air, deeper notes emerge. Polished leather, iodine, curry spice and umami rich savoury tones that feel almost endless.

On the palate, it is bone dry, intense and perfectly composed. The texture is silken yet powerful, with layers of nutty, saline and bitter citrus flavours carried by vibrant acidity. Despite its age and concentration, the wine feels alive and precise rather than heavy. The finish is extraordinarily long, echoing nuts, spice, sea spray and a profound savoury depth that lingers long after the glass is empty.

This is a wine for slow contemplation and serious food. It pairs beautifully with aged cheeses, roasted nuts, mushrooms, game, rich broths or simply on its own as a meditation wine. A small pour goes a very long way, and the bottle will hold well once opened.

Sánchez Romate N.P.U. Amontillado is not just a great sherry, it is one of the great wines of Spain. Timeless, intellectual and deeply moving, it is a benchmark for what long aged Jerez can achieve.