Oloroso "Asuncion" | 0,5l

Olorosos are white wines aged for so long in solera oak casks that they turn mahogany in color, but the real transformation occurs in the aromas and the palate. The NV Oloroso Asunción is a perfect example. Made from 100% Pedro Ximénez from Montilla-Moriles, it offers nutty aromas of sautéed almonds and saffron, along with undergrowth and caramel notes. Dry, lean and overwhelmingly chalky on the palate, it finishes long and persistent. This is a very impressive wine—a perfect contrast of dryness and richness with a refreshing core.

- Joaquín Hidalgo (04/2024)

A pure pedro ximenez, aged to an average of 25 years, this has a deep, golden color and notes of toffee and mushroom, as well as a grilled biscuit-like edge. Super focused, sapid and salty mineral finish, amid smooth, layered texture. Drink now. (07/2019)

A fortified sherry (it’s fortified to prevent the growth of Flor), the NV Alvear Oloroso Asunción (100% Pedro Ximénez) is a beautiful effort that has a great nose of candied figs, white currants, salted nuts, and malty, brown sugar notes. More medium to full-bodied, nicely balanced, with slightly less sweetness than past versions, it would make a terrific aperitif. (09/2019)

A beauty, with praline, flan and salted caramel notes lending a flattering edge. The core of bitter orange, gingerbread and green tea is decidedly firm and taut, while the finish picks up dried peach and passion fruit echoes. Drink now. 500 cases made, 425 cases imported.

- J.M.

The NV Oloroso Asunción was produced with Pedro Ximénez grapes (like all in Montilla), and as the grape achieves higher ripeness than the Palomino, the wines have a higher natural alcohol and need less fortification to reach the 19% alcohol that it is bottled with. It's aged in a solera system believed to be over 25 years of age, according to the documentation I received, but this used to be bottled at around 12 years old. This is still a little sweet, as it contains around 15 grams of sugar. It has a mellow character, quite approachable, with signs of medium age, not that old, aromatic and gentle in the palate, with the sugar making an appearance in the finish, balancing the faint bitterness. I prefer drier Oloroso, but here the sugar is not too noticeable. 2,600 half bottles were filled in March, in the first saca of 2019. The price is for a half bottle.

- Luis Gutiérrez (06/2019)