Colosía Pedro Ximénez

Colosia Pedro Ximenez comes from Bodegas Gutierrez Colosia, founded in 1838 on the estuary of the Guadalete river in the bay of Cadiz. The bodega's position is well suited to ageing sherry: dry easterly winds and Atlantic moisture meet to regulate humidity in the cellar naturally, which suits the slow development of the wines. The Pedro Ximenez grapes are spread out and left in the sun to dehydrate, concentrating the sugars into a thick, dark must before pressing. The wine is aged through the criaderas and soleras system, the fractional blending method of Jerez, where younger wine is run into older casks across a stack to build a consistent style. Oxidative time in oak darkens the colour and develops the toasted, roasted character that frames the dried fruit. The result is a deep, near-opaque wine. The nose is raisin, fig and date over toffee and molasses, with toasted coffee from the cask. The palate is syrupy and sweet, the weight of sugar balanced by a faint coffee bitterness on the long finish. Serve lightly chilled in a small glass after a meal, poured over ice cream or set against dark chocolate or a strong blue cheese.