Oloroso Almirante 15 años

Oloroso Almirante 15 años is a dry Oloroso from Marqués del Real Tesoro, a Jerez bodega whose soleras trace back to casks acquired in 1897 from the Count of Villacreces, some over two hundred years old. It is made entirely from Palomino grown on the chalky albariza soils of the Jerez region, whose pale limestone retains moisture and reflects heat through the long, dry summers. The base wine is fortified to around 18.5 percent, above the level where flor yeast can survive, so an Oloroso ages oxidatively rather than under a veil. Fifteen years in the criaderas and soleras system, with air contact through the porous oak, slowly concentrate the wine and convert alcohol to aldehydes, building deep colour, nutty depth and structure. The wine is mahogany in the glass, with a nose of walnut, hazelnut, leather and dried apricot. The palate is dry, full and savoury, with roasted nuts, tobacco and oak running into a long, warming finish. Serve lightly cool at 13 to 15 degrees in a white-wine glass.