Basically a solera is a collection of barrels of the same wine of differing ages, the older ones (called Solera) being nourished by the new wines each year. The wines are aged together in oak for other years to marry the flavors and add complexity, then fortified.
So the first level of barrel, the ones holding the older wine is called Solera, the level on the top of the Solera is called 1rst Criadera (Criadera= harvest), the level on the top of the 1rst Criadera is the second Criadera and so on…This system of production is proper to Spain and is called the Solera System.
A “must-have” Fortified Wine, specially for the coming holidays, a great sweet one to share with friend and family, from the very best producer of that type of wine!
Technical Data:From the South of Spain ( Andalucia), produced between Sevilla and Cadix. Like Jerez and Madeira wines it’s a white fortified wine made mainly from Palomino Fino ( 85%) sweetened by Pedro Jimenez( 15%). A blend of Soleras averaging 15 to 50 years of age.
Description:Bright amber color. Rich and concentrated nose focused on toffee and nutty aromas. Sweet, luscious almost weighty wine yet very balanced. The palate is complex, extremely voluptuous and enjoyable showing up flavors such as roasted nuts and toasted almond enticed with caramel and candied apricot peel. Clean lingering finish.
Food Pairing & Service:Perfect accompaniment to light desserts, chocolate cake, can also be served with cheeses like blue cheese or as a sweet digestif. Personally I prefer it at room temperature but most people like it chilled.
Score:9/10
Suggested Retail Price:$24.99 ( considering the time this wine spent in ageing prior bottling it’s trully a great value)
A nice Port to enjoy, a little less sweet than the Non-Vintage LB Port from the same Quinta.
Technical Data:Made from 3 Portuguese Grapes, Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz ( = Tempranillo) and Touriga Francesca. Grapes trodden by foot and aged in traditional large oak vats called “Lagares”, aged 4 years.
Description:Deep purple color, with a wild spicy nose and ripe fruits well married with woody notes. The full and silky tannins express the essence of its terroir. A rich and full-bodied wine with great charm and finesse. Intense fruity bouquet with a rich, elegant, well-balanced palate, a smooth velvety tannic structure and a powerful, intense finish.
Food Pairing & Service:It is delicious with a variety of cheeses & desserts, particularly chocolate. Ready to be enjoyed immediately, this port does not need to be decanted.
Score:9/10
Suggested Retail Price:?
A very fine Port you will enjoy anytime, that’s my latest favorite wine!
Technical Data:Port made traditionnaly from 3 Portuguese grapes called Tinta Roriz ( that’s one of the synonym for Tempranillo grape), Touriga Francesca and Tinta Barroca. The grapes after been harvested have been trodden by foot then aged in traditional large oak vats called “Lagares”. It is blended from a number of vintages to add complexity.The aging is from 4 – 5 years, this kind of Port is bottled according to demand.
Description:Intense dark purple color with some red shades. A complex nose showing mostly red fruits such as raspberry, cherry and berry. This Non-Vintage Late Bottled or LB ( vintage character) Port is an impressive one, it possesses fabulous cherry and berry fruity flavors, a smooth texture with a nice touch of spice and smoky chocolate character just by the end of the palate. Dense, rich, concentrated, this is an excellent value in high quality port. A full-bodied one yet round and well-structured with a long lasting elegant finish.
Food Pairing & Service:Accompanies well chocolate desserts and red fruits one. Could also be enjoyed on its own. Ready to be enjoyed immediately, this port does not need to be decanted.
Score:10/10
Suggested Retail Price:$14.99
