Raúl Moreno, making stunning wines from sherry country
Raúl Moreno is originally from Sevilla, and he began his wine education working in restaurants in London, where he moved to aged 18, beginning in the kitchen and then working as a sommelier. He then moved to Australia where he carried on working in restaurants, but also studied wine, doing a degree in wine science. This was followed by some vintages around the world: a great learning experience. Finally, he moved back home to Spain, where he has been working in the sherry area making brilliant unfortified wines. He began in 2017 with the Viñas Oceanicos wines all made in clay, but since 2021 has made wines under his own name
For more information on Raúl’s project, there’s a great article here: https://spanishwinelover.com/raul-moreno-brings-a-disruptive-vision-to-the-wines-of-jerez
Raúl Moreno Destellos 2024 Vino de la Tierra de Cadiz, Spain
From Pago Balbaina and Pago Miraflores. Palomino and Arinto, fermented and aged in 2000 litre sherry casks with no flor, 12 h on skins. 40 mg/l total SO2. lovely vivid tangy marmalade and lemon nose. Palate is focused and crystalline with beautiful citrus. So lovely. 95/100
Raúl Moreno La Morisca 2024 Vino de la Tierra de Cadiz, Spain
This is from 1959 plantings in Miraflores, 2 clones of Palomino, 12 months flor in chestnut then 9 months in steel. Complex, saline, intense nose. Lovely crystalline intensity on the palate. Salty with very subtle flor and nice spicy detail. Thrilling, with some phenolic characters. 96/100
Raúl Moreno La Angostura 2024 Vino de la Tierra de Cadiz, Spain
From 1945 plantings in Pastrana, Listran clone. More skin contact. 14 month flor in 300 litre French oak, then 6 months in stainless steel. Wonderfully expressive mineral citrus nose. Lovely concentration in the mouth lots of dry extract, mandarin, saline citrus, peach. Refined flor impact. Dry and fine. 96/100
Raúl Moreno La E Manzanilla NV Spain
This was a very commercial brand. But he’s making it without sulfites and no filtration. Youthful style no acid correction. Pure salty tangy flor nose. Fresh textural palate finishing warm and spicy. Lovely. 92/100
Raúl Moreno Aurora Manzanilla NV Spain
Average age 9 years light filtration no sulfites. Textured, complex, nice flor, warmly spiced but great length too. Beautiful. 94/100
Raúl Moreno La Esencia 2024
Many varieties, raised in qvevri, with some flor. Fresh, detailed, spice laden red cherry citrus has savoury spicy twist. Nice precision. Lovely. 94/100
Raúl Moreno Dark & Stormy 2024
Powerful and chunky but fresh and mineral with nice spicy intensity. So vital. Savoury twist on finish. 94/100
This was v cool!
