Cota 45 is the winery of Ramiro Ibanez, whose vineyards are located at an altitude of 45m above sea-level, a height Ramiro believes offers the best 'albariza' soils for the growth of exceptional grapes. Ramiro wants to return to the traditional wines that were once produced in the Jerez region, wines that had not been fortified. He is also a member of a group that is committed documenting and resurrecting the 119 grape varieties that were once grown in the region, but were pulled up in favour of Palomino and Pedro Jimenez. This is not to say he is against the Palomino grape, as he makes wines with it that help translate the flavours of the Albariza soil to his wines.
'Encrucijado' is made from two almost extinct grapes, Perruno and Uva Rey, with Palomino, it is aged for 24 months in 500L bota, 4 months of which are under flor, the rest of the time oxidatively. This is a wine that almost, but not quite, reaches being a Palo Cortado. The result is a rich and nutty wine, but one with a real freshness and a salty minerality.
