Gonzalez Byass Del Duque Amontillado 37.5cl NV

A rich and dry aged sherry with layers of complexity and flavour

Amontillado is a transitional style of sherry where the wine is first aged under flor before spending time in contact with oxygen
Produced as a 'Vinum Optimum Rare Signatum' or 'Very Rare Old Sherry' the average age of this wine stands above 30 years
Del Duque' refers to the Duke of Medinaceli, a small Spanish city in the province of Soria
The nose is nutty and sweet with salted caramel and hints of dried apricots, toasted almonds and even some maple syrup
The palate is dry with notes of citrus, toffee and tinned peaches with a long, nutty finish and plenty of saltiness throughout

Grape variety: Palomino Fino
Vintage: NV
Type/Colour: Amontillado
Alcohol: 21.5%
Bottle Size: 37.5cl
Group: Sherry

'This is VORS, which means the average age of sherries in the blend is 30 years or more, and considering the age of this wine, it's one of the best value examples of its type. Age is the magic ingredient with many sherries: with the exception of purely biologically aged wines (finos and manzanillas), it's age that brings the real complexity. This would have started life as a Fino, and you still get the ghost of the salty tang of biological ageing under flor here. It's supplemented with astonishing nutty, woody complexity and a hint of smoke, as well as some tar and treacle notes in the background. Lovely old wood characters dominate, with some furniture polish notes. Dry, intense and exotic, with such a range of layered flavours and an eternal finish, with concentrated acidity as well. 94/100' - Jamie Goode, Wine Anorak

'Deeply complex and wonderfully inviting aromas of sweet toffee, tar, dried mango, burnt orange peel and Christmassy clove and cinnamon spice. Vibrant and beautifully structured on the palate, with incredible clarity and purity. French mahogany fid and caramel are dominant on a delicious, neverending finish.' - Decanter Magazine