Bodegas Alonso Amontillado 1/15

This amontillado is simply stunning. It was released recently along with an Oloroso 1/14 and a Palo Cortado 1/8 which, despite being from criaderas, are more than 50 years old. These supply the much older solera wines which the Asencio brothers bought from Pedro Romero bodega. It is bottled unfiltered.

Appearance: Burnished old mahogany with copper-tinted amber highlights and a trace of green at the rim, with noticeable legs.

Nose: Very attractive aromatic mature glyceric buttery caramel and almond notes with traces of cedar up front. There is a more serious side behind with traces of salinity, old oak and dried fruit, but it is all so well integrated that it has become a "bouquet". This is an old wine with all the grace and complexity you should expect - the more you sniff, the more you get!

Palate: Fairly crisp on entry thanks largely to its volatile acidity, it then spreads out generously on the palate with notable glycerine and lots of toasted nuts before reverting to a crisper, tangier, saltier style yet always beautifully balanced and with a long, dry, remarkably tannin-free finish.

· Origin: Gaspar Florido

· Solera: 1/15

· Variety: Palomino

· Vineyard: Jerez Superior

· Ageing: Average age 35 - 40 years

· Butt: 600 l. Roble americano

· Alc.: 21 % vol.