The 2024 M. Ant. De la Riva Macharnudo San Cayetano, a Palomino varietal from Andalucia, Spain, is receiving significant acclaim from wine critics for its unique and compelling expression. James Suckling awards it an impressive 98 points, describing it as "one of the most compelling expressions of this style," noting its "iodine, crusted sea salt," and "subtle touch of lime." He praises its "solid and angular, almost architectural sense of salinity," which offers a "layered and persistent" experience.

Jane Anson, giving it a 96, highlights the wine's "grippy, slim, intense" nature. She notes the "gunsmoke reduction on the opening," and the presence of "soy, sea spray, white pear, grilled almonds, with a touch of Xeres tang." Anson emphasizes the wine’s origins, pointing out its limestone soils and the traditional production methods used at the De La Riva winery by owners Willy Perez and Ramiro Ibanez. This includes fermentation in 615-liter sherry butts without temperature control, followed by a year of flor aging, which contributes to its distinct character.

Decanter also praises this wine with a 95-point score, appreciating its "iodine and saltiness on the nose," reminiscent of an "oyster shack." The tasting notes describe "wild herbal elements with brisk acidity and a deep salty core," alongside "olive tapenade and lots of toasted nuts." The publication underscores the wine's "singular style" and enduring minerality, a testament to the expertise of director Luis Pérez and winemakers Ramiro Ibáñez and Willy Pérez.

Overall, the 2024 M. Ant. De la Riva Macharnudo San Cayetano is celebrated for its complex, saline profile and its ability to showcase the brilliance of the Palomino grape, making it a standout choice for both current enjoyment and future cellaring.