Amontillado Carlos VII Alvear 37,5 cl

The 2019 bottling of the NV Amontillado Carlos VII is believed to be around 25 years of age and combines 12 years of biological aging under flor (Fino) with oxidative upbringing in topped-up barrels for another 12 years, but there's no indication of age (or bottling date) anywhere on the front or back label. It's a bit spirity (it's 19% alcohol), with a bitter twist in the finish, ample and long, lifted by the alcohol. 4,200 375-milliliter bottles were filled in February 2019. - Luis Gutiérrez. 

A pure pedro ximenez that has been finished beautifully with a swathe of grilled nuts and mahogany wood. The dry, walnut-flavored palate offers a dry finish with some fullness. Dried-mushroom flavors linger at the finish. Drink now.

Carlos VII is a glorious copper colour, the product of its 30 or so years of age. It began as a fino, unfortified and aged under flor, and then oxidatively with the death of the flor. Wonderfully aromatic, with mahogany, vanilla, walnuts and muscovado sugar. In the mouth it’s piquant, citric, smooth and very long. Textbook amontillado from Montilla-Moriles.