Noé Pedro Ximénez VORS

Noé Pedro Ximénez is a single variety sherry from González Byass in the D.O. Jerez-Xeres-Sherry, made entirely from Pedro Ximenez grown in the zona superior on the chalky albariza soils around Jerez. The white albariza reflects sunlight and retains winter moisture, which matters for a grape destined to be dried after picking. The bunches are laid out on esparto mats and left in the sun, a local process called soleo or pasificacion that dehydrates the berries and pushes the sugar to extreme levels before fermentation, which is arrested early to retain that sweetness. The wine is then fortified and aged oxidatively through the criaderas and soleras system, a fractional blending of barrels of different ages that smooths the wine and builds layered complexity. The VORS designation marks an average age above 30 years. Decades under controlled oxidation darken the colour to near black and convert simple fruit into dense dried fruit and roasted aromas. The nose shows date, dried fig, coffee and molasses. The palate is intensely sweet and syrupy, with prune, raisin and walnut, balanced by a savoury bitterness on the long finish. Serve at 13 to 14C in a small glass. It is superb over vanilla ice cream or with dark chocolate.