González Byass Alfonso Oloroso Seco

González Byass is a Jerez house dating to 1835, and Alfonso Oloroso Seco is its dry Oloroso. The wine is made from Palomino grown on the chalky albariza soils around Jerez de la Frontera. Unlike Fino or Amontillado, an Oloroso is fortified above 17 percent, the level at which flor cannot survive, so it ages entirely by oxidation from the start. Over eight years in solera, a tiered cask system that blends older wine with younger in stages, slow air contact through the wood deepens the colour and concentrates the wine as evaporation reduces its volume. This oxidative path is the source of the nutty, toasted character and the full body. The wine is finished dry, its sugar fully fermented out. The colour is deep mahogany. The nose has an impressive range, from toasted and roasted nut notes to truffle, vegetal hints and a touch of vanilla from the cask. The palate is structured and savoury, with walnut, umami depth and a long, persistent finish. Serve at 14 to 16 degrees in a white wine glass. It pairs with hard cheese, mushroom dishes and red meat.