Williams Colección de Añadas Palo Cortado en Rama 2002

Williams & Humbert release this Palo Cortado as part of their Colección de Añadas, single-vintage wines that the house ages statically, in a fixed set of casks, rather than through the moving criaderas and soleras system used for most Sherry. It is made from Palomino grown on the albariza chalk of Jerez de la Frontera and aged 17 years in oak. Palo Cortado is the rarest of the dry Sherry styles, sitting between Amontillado and Oloroso. It begins under a veil of flor, ageing biologically and dry, but loses that veil and finishes oxidatively, exposed to air through the cask. Over 17 years that long oxidative ageing concentrates the wine, deepens its colour and develops layered walnut, hazelnut, tobacco and orange-peel character while the structure stays firm and dry. Bottled en rama, with minimal filtering, it keeps more aroma and texture from the cask. The source notes a great aromatic complexity, a rounded, deep and voluminous palate, hints of light tobacco and a very lingering finish. Expect walnut, roasted nuts, dried apricot and a saline edge. Serve lightly chilled at around 13C in a white wine glass. It suits rich savoury food and hard cheese.