Fernando de Castilla Classic PX

Rey Fernando de Castilla is a Jerez bodega, and this Classic PX is made entirely from Pedro Ximénez. After harvest the grapes undergo the soleo method, laid out on mats under the Andalusian sun so they raisin and their sugars concentrate. The dried grapes are then pressed to yield a thick, sugar-rich must that ferments only partially before the high sugar level and fortification arrest the yeast, locking in intense sweetness. The wine then ages by the criaderas and soleras system, a tiered set of casks where younger wine is gradually blended into older through periodic transfers, so every bottling carries a consistent house style. Long oxidative ageing in cask, with controlled air contact through the wood, deepens the colour and builds layers of dried fruit and roast character. The colour is dense ebony with thick, slow tears. The nose is raisin, date, dried fig and honey turning to coffee and toffee. The palate is velvety and unctuous, thick with concentrated sugar yet held in check by good acidity, leading to a long finish with a toasted edge. Serve lightly chilled at 12 to 14 degrees, in a small glass.