Equipo Navazos, La Bota No 135, Fino Chiclana, Jerez, Spain, N/V

Producer Profile

Equipo Navazos was born out of a group of friends’ desire to unearth some of the many treasures lying forgotten in the bodgas of Jerez de la Frontera, Sanlúcar de Barrameda, El Puerto de Santa Maria and Montilla… wines whose age and provenance place them among the best value in the world.

These unexpected yet fortunate findings have been made available to wine lovers around the world in limited quantities under the La Bota series (consecutively numbered editions, with the date of each ‘saca’, or withdrawal, on the label)as a mark of respect for the generations of expertise and care that have gone into making these exceptional wines. Today, however, Equipo Navazos’ efforts are increasingly focused on producing their own wines, such as Florpower, which truly express the character of Sanlúcar and its unique terroir. Beyond Andalusia, they have also collaborated with winemakers of the calibre of Dirk Niepoort and Sergi Colet to develop authentic, individual Spanish wines that never fail to impress.

Viticulture

La Bota de Fino 135 “Chiclana” originates from Chiclana de la Frontera, within the Jerez district. The vineyards and bodegas of Chiclana are deeply influenced by the Atlantic Ocean, though their Finos have not always captured this distinctive character, often shaped by an inclination to emulate the Finos of Jerez. The partnership with Chano Aragón began in 2015 with editions 62 and 63 of the La Bota de series. Since that time, Eduardo Ojeda has played a key role in developing the small solera from which this first saca was produced. Over the course of a decade, he and his team carefully selected the finest Chiclana musts and casks that combined complexity, sharpness, and a fresh, vertical mouthfeel — qualities they regard as the authentic expression of Fino from Chiclana. The resulting wine is a mature, distinctive Fino marked by its pronounced Atlantic influence. When tasted blind, it may appear closer in style to a true Manzanilla than to a Fino from inland Jerez, due to its saline precision and vertical character. Nonetheless, it remains distinct from the Manzanillas crafted by Ojeda for Equipo Navazos, which reflect their own unmistakable Sanlúcar identity.

Winemaking

Aged for an average of seven and a half years, La Bota de Fino 135 shows best between 8–9°C for a fresher, lighter expression, or at 11–12°C to reveal its full aromatic range and depth.

Tasting Note

This is a complex and elegant wine, with a lively palate that clearly conveys its coastal origin. It has been bottled almost en rama, with only minimal filtration, to preserve its natural colour and vibrant energy. While ready to enjoy immediately, it will continue to develop gracefully in bottle for many years if stored with care, much like any fine white wine.

Food matching

Exceptionally versatile at the table, it pairs beautifully with Ibérico ham, seafood dishes, octopus a feira, grilled vegetables, shepherd’s pie, and mildly aged farmhouse cheeses.