Olorosso, VORS, 30 Years, NV

When fortification takes place early and as a result no flor is allowed to develop the result is an Oloroso – a dry sherry but one without the fresh saline cut of those aged under yeast. Here the emphasis is on nutty, deep dark complexity, notes of raisin, smoked mushrooms, blond tobacco and fine wood flow from the glass, while caramel, cocoa and roasted coffee flavours linger long on the impressively endowed, intense and concentrated palate. While the average age is 42 years, the oldest wines in the solera date back to the 1860s. Meditative, intense, rich and full, a wine to partner fatty dishes, stews, and potently flavoured game. The bodega have full faith that once opened a bottle should last for up to a year if kept upright with the cork put back in - so there’s no need to rush through the bottle, would that restraint so easily be counted upon!