The Big Fortified Tasting 2015
Church House Conference Centre, Westminster, London
Tasted Wednesday, May 6, 2015 by HStaal with 950 views
Introduction
Although I tasted many fortified wines on the day I only took formal notes in the two Masterclasses.
Flight 1 - Certified Dated Sherries (Andalucia) Master Class (9 Notes)
Tutored by Beltran Domecq, President of the Consejo Regulador for Sherry and Manzanilla, an in depth study of VOS and VORS.
1. Amontillado:
Napoleón VORS (Hidalgo)
Tradición VORS (Bodegas Tradicion)
2. Palo Cortado:
Dos Cortados VOS (Williams&Humbert)
Barbadillo VORS (Barbadillo)
3. Oloroso:
Faraón VORS (Hidalgo)
Rich Old VORS (Harveys)
4. Cream:
Matusalem VORS (Gonzalez Byass)
5. Pedro Ximénez:
Don Guido VOS (Williams &Humbert)
Lustau VORS (Emilio Lustau)
Flight 2 - Madeira Master Class - Diversity and Individuality
Tutored by Rui Falcao, featuring rare Madeiras not being shown in the main open tasting.
1. Blandy’s Malmsey Colheita 1998
2. Barbeito Tinta Negra Colheita 1996
3. Henriques & Henriques 20 Year Old Verdelho
4. Justinos Boal 1978
5. Perreira d’Oliveira Terrantez 1977
NV Bodegas Hidalgo Napoleon 30 Year Old Amontillado VORS 90 Points
Spain, Andalucía, Jerez-Xérès-Sherry
Appearance: The wine is Clear with a Medium amber colour.
Nose: The nose is Clean and Fully Developed, showing Medium intensity econdary aromas of Yeast, aldehydes, vanilla, seasoned oak and tertiary aromas of almond, nutty, hint of mushroom.
Palate: The wine is Off-Dry in the mouth with a Medium(-) level of acidity. It has a Medium level of alcohol for a fortified wine (18.00%). It has Medium body and Medium(+) intensity secondary flavours of Yeast, aldehydes, vanilla, seasoned oak and tertiary flavours of almond, nutty, hint of mushroom. The finish is Long. It has quite delicate flavours
Overall: Good complexity and length. Bit light in body.
Conclusion: It is a Very Good quality wine. Drink Now; not suitable for Ageing or Further Ageing This is fully developed and will not improve with further ageing.; Premium priced (£44.12 for 500ml)
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NV Bodegas Tradición Jerez-Xérès-Sherry Amontillado 30 Years Old VORS 92 Points
Spain, Andalucía, Jerez-Xérès-Sherry
Appearance: The wine is Clear with a Medium amber colour.
Nose: The nose is Clean and Fully Developed, showing Pronounced intensity of secondary aromas of pungent vanilla, yeast, flor, aldehydes and tertiary aromas of almond, nutty, walnut, honey.
Palate: The wine is Dry in the mouth with a Medium level of acidity. It has a High Level of alcohol (19.50%). It has Medium(+) body and Pronounced intensity secondary flavours of pungent vanilla, yeast, flor, aldehydes, mineral notes, salinity and tertiary flavours of walnut, nutty, honey, almond. The finish is Long. It has quite high salinity and minerality
Overall: Very complex and long. Intense flavours and aromas. All elements in balance. Just a fabulous elegant sherry.
Conclusion: It is an Outstanding quality wine. Drink Now; not suitable for Ageing or Further Ageing This is fully devloped and will not improve with bottle ageing; Premium priced (£26.50 for 375ml)
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NV Williams & Humbert Jerez-Xérès-Sherry Dos Cortados Very Old Dry Palo Cortado 90 Points
Spain, Andalucía, Jerez-Xérès-Sherry
Appearance: The wine is Clear with a Deep amber colour.
Nose: The nose is Clean and Fully Developed, showing Pronounced intensity secondary aromas of vanilla and tertiary aromas of walnut, hazelnut , caramel, nutty, nutmeg, roasted nuts, dried fruits.
Palate: The wine is Dry in the mouth with a Medium level of acidity. It has a High Level of alcohol (19.50%). It has Medium(+) body and Pronounced intensity secondary flavours of Vanilla and tertiary flavours of walnut, hazelnut , caramel, nutmeg, roasted nuts, dried fruit. The finish is Long. It has roasted nuts, dried fruit and caramel character
Overall: Complex and elegant, very long finish, intense flavours and aromas
Conclusion: It is a Very Good quality wine. Drink Now; not suitable for Ageing or Further Ageing This is fully developed and will not improve with bottle ageing.; High priced (£17.00)
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NV Barbadillo Jerez-Xérès-Sherry Palo Cortado 30 años V.O.R.S 93 Points
Spain, Andalucía, Jerez-Xérès-Sherry
Appearance: The wine is Clear with a Deep amber colour.
Nose: The nose is Clean and Fully Developed, showing Medium(+) intensity tertiary aromas of hazelnut , walnut, roasted nuts, caramel, dried fruits, nutmeg.
Palate: The wine is Dry in the mouth with a Medium level of acidity. It has a High Level of alcohol (20.00%). It has Medium(+) body and Pronounced intensity tertiary flavours of hazelnut , walnut, caramel, nutmeg, dried fruits, roasted nuts. The finish is Medium(+). It has a salty tinge. Roasted nuts..
Overall: Complex and elegant;longish finish, quite pronounced flavours.
Conclusion: It is an Outstanding quality wine. Drink Now; not suitable for Ageing or Further Ageing This is fully developed and will not improve with bottle ageing.; Super-Premium priced (£70.00)
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NV Bodegas Hidalgo Faraón 30 Year Old VORS Oloroso 92 Points
Spain, Andalucía, Jerez-Xérès-Sherry
Appearance: The wine is Clear with a Pale brown colour.
Nose: The nose is Clean and Fully Developed, showing Medium(+) intensity secondary aromas of butterscotch, vanilla and tertiary aromas of walnut, nutty, toast, dried fruit, nutmeg.
Palate: The wine is Dry in the mouth with a Medium level of acidity. It has a High Level of alcohol (20.00%). It has Full body and Medium(+) intensity secondary flavours of vanilla, butterscotch and tertiary flavours of walnut, nutty, toast, dried fruit, nutmeg. The finish is Long. It has round balanced and velvety texture. Very smooth. Has bit of dried fruit.
Overall: Complex, long and intense. Loveley balance and smooth texture.
Conclusion: It is an Outstanding quality wine. Drink Now; not suitable for Ageing or Further Ageing This is fully developed and will not improve with bottle ageing.; Premium priced (£42.35 for 500ml)
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NV Harveys Jerez-Xérès-Sherry Rich Old Oloroso VORS 88 Points
Spain, Andalucía, Jerez-Xérès-Sherry
Appearance: The wine is Clear with a Medium brown colour.
Nose: The nose is Clean and Fully Developed, showing Medium(+) intensity secondary aromas of vanilla, butterscotch and tertiary aromas of walnut, raisin, dried fruits, roasted nuts.
Palate: The wine is Medium Dry in the mouth with a Medium(-) level of acidity. It has a High Level of alcohol (20.00%). It has Full body and Medium(+) intensity secondary flavours of vanilla, butterscotch and tertiary flavours of walnut, raisin, dried fruits, roasted nuts. The finish is Long.
Overall: Quite long and complex, good intensity of flavours, quite full bodied.
Conclusion: It is a Very Good quality wine. Drink Now; not suitable for Ageing or Further Ageing This is fully developed and will not improve with bottle ageing.; Premium priced (£24.06 for 500 ml)
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NV Gonzalez-Byass Jerez-Xérès-Sherry Matusalem 92 Points
Spain, Andalucía, Jerez-Xérès-Sherry
Appearance: The wine is Clear with a Medium brown colour.
Nose: The nose is Clean and Fully Developed, showing Pronounced intensity secondary aromas of vanilla and tertiary aromas of sweet almond, caramel, toffee, coffee, chocolate, fig, raisin, prune, roasted nuts, hazelnut .
Palate: The wine is Sweet in the mouth with a Medium(-) level of acidity. It has a High Level of alcohol (20.00%). It has Full body and Pronounced intensity secondary flavours of Vanilla and tertiary flavours of sweet almond, hazelnut , caramel, toffee, coffee, chocolate, fig, raisin, prune, roasted nuts. The finish is Long.
Overall: Good balance between sweetness and acidity, good complexity and long long finish.
Conclusion: It is an Outstanding quality wine. Drink Now; not suitable for Ageing or Further Ageing This is fully developed and will not improve with bottle ageing.; High priced (£19.00 for 375ml)
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NV Williams & Humbert Jerez-Xérès-Sherry Don Guido 20 YO Rare Old Sweet Pedro Ximenez Solera Especial 92 Points
Spain, Andalucía, Jerez-Xérès-Sherry
Appearance: The wine is Clear with a Deep brown colour.
Nose: The nose is Clean and Fully Developed, showing Pronounced intensity tertiary aromas of dried figs, dates, raisins, prune, burnt caramel, burnt sugar, coffee, chocolate, toast.
Palate: The wine is Luscious in the mouth with a Medium(-) level of acidity. It has a Medium level of alcohol for a fortified wine (18.00%). It has Full body and Pronounced intensity tertiary flavours of dried fig, dates, raisins, prune, burnt caramel, burnt sugar, coffee, chocolate, toast. The finish is Long. It has thick viscous creamy texture. Lots of "burnt" aromas - burnt sugar, burnt caramel
Overall: Very intense, long and complex
Conclusion: It is an Outstanding quality wine. Drink Now; not suitable for Ageing or Further Ageing This is fully developed and will not improve with bottle ageing.; High priced (£14.25)
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NV Emilio Lustau Jerez-Xérès-Sherry 30 Years Old Pedro Ximénes VORS 92 Points
Spain, Andalucía, Jerez-Xérès-Sherry
Appearance: The wine is Clear with a Deep brown colour.
Nose: The nose is Clean and Fully Developed, showing Pronounced intensity tertiary aromas of fig, dates, raisins, liquorice, caramel.
Palate: The wine is Luscious in the mouth with a Medium(-) level of acidity. It has Low level of alcohol for a fortified wine (15.00%). It has Full body and Pronounced intensity tertiary flavours of fig, dates, raisins, liquorice, caramel. The finish is Long. It has thick viscous creamy texture.
Overall: Very long, complex and intense
Conclusion: It is an Outstanding quality wine. Drink Now; not suitable for Ageing or Further Ageing This is fully developed and will not improve with bottle ageing.; Premium priced (£41.55 for 500ml)
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