Barbadillo Oloroso Cuco

Barbadillo was founded in Sanlúcar de Barrameda in 1821 and is one of the oldest and best known houses of the Marco de Jerez, with more than two centuries of history. Oloroso Cuco is a dry Oloroso made from Palomino Fino grown on the albariza chalk soils, fortified to around 19.5 percent and aged oxidatively for some eighteen years. Above roughly 15 percent the protective flor yeast cannot live, so the wine ages in contact with air, which slowly converts ethanol into acetaldehyde and concentrates the wine through evaporation. Eighteen years of this builds the dark colour, the dried fruit and the deep nutty, savoury character. The solera system blends younger and older wines so each drawing holds a steady average age. It pours dark mahogany, with a complex nose of walnut, hazelnut, toasted oak and dried orange peel. The palate is dry, broad and layered, with roasted nuts, a faint bitterness and a long saline finish, a wine aimed at drinkers who already know sherry. Serve lightly chilled at around 13 to 14 degrees in a white wine glass. It suits hard cheeses, mushrooms and rich savoury dishes.