Jalifa Amontillado Solera Especial VORS

Williams & Humbert, founded in Jerez in 1877, releases this Amontillado under the VORS designation, reserved for sherries with an average age of more than 30 years. It is made mainly from Palomino grown on albariza chalk, with a small proportion of Pedro Ximenez. An Amontillado begins life as a Fino, ageing under flor, before the yeast veil dies and the wine is refortified to continue ageing oxidatively. This dual path, biological then oxidative, gives the style its character. Three decades in a criaderas and soleras system, where younger wine is blended into older across a stack of butts, concentrate the wine through slow evaporation and prolonged contact with air, which converts alcohol to acetaldehyde and deepens the colour and aroma. The colour is deep amber to chestnut. The nose is sharp and complex, with dried fruit, hazelnut, walnut, leather and tobacco over old oak. The palate is dry and savoury, balanced and intensely lingering, the concentration of great age held by firm acidity. Serve at 13 to 14 degrees in a tulip glass. It is a wine for savoury food and aged cheese, or for slow sipping alone.