Gracia Hermanos Palo Cortado (1971)

Wine: Gracia Hermanos Palo Cortado (1971)
Winery: Gracia Hermanos
Appellation: D.O. Montilla-Moriles
Varietals: 100% Pedro Ximénez
ABV: 18%

Winemaking
[Specific data unavailable]

 

Tasting Notes

 

Appearance: Dark amber in color; cloudy with very fine legs.

 

Nose: Initially showing low intensity and limited expression, it requires several hours to open up and shed its many years in the bottle. Aromas of great maturity emerge (beeswax, honeyed tones, nuts), with no trace of biological aging (crianza en flor) and subtle hints of seasoned wood in the background.

 

Palate: Creamy and smooth, featuring a sweetish note of fruit compote balanced by refined bitters. A real "treat" and highly enjoyable. It bears little resemblance to a typical Palo Cortado; stylistically, it sits much closer to an Oloroso, with exceptionally well-integrated alcohol and commendable acidity. Its lack of extreme complexity is compensated by its overall roundness. The wines of Montilla also know how to age gracefully, as this fortified wine—with over 40 years behind it—clearly attests. Very delicious.

 

Personal Score: 92
Tasting Group Score: 92