Toro Albalá Poley Amontillado en Rama Solera 35 Años

Toro de Albalá has made wine in Montilla-Moriles since 1922, and this Poley Amontillado en Rama comes from the founding solera, bottled unfiltered with an average of thirty-five years in cask. Amontillado is made in two stages. The wine first ages biologically under flor, which gives it the saline, almond character of a Fino, then the flor dies and oxidative ageing takes over, darkening the wine and adding nutty, woody depth. In Montilla the base is Pedro Ximénez grown on albero chalk under the hot Córdoba sun, fortified to around 21 percent for the oxidative phase. Decades of slow air contact concentrate the wine and convert ethanol into acetaldehyde, building intensity from a long criaderas and soleras run. It pours a deep amber shot with coppery tones. The nose is concentrated, with hazelnut, bitter orange, fine wood and warm spice. The palate is bone dry and intense, with roasted nuts, a savoury bite and a very long finish carried by the high alcohol. Serve lightly chilled at around 13 to 14 degrees in a white wine glass. It suits hard cheeses, mushrooms and rich savoury dishes.