N/V Osborne VORS Amontillado "51-1A", Jerez, Spain

ABOUT THIS WINE

100% Palomino. Vines tended in albariza soil at 70 m (230 ft) elevation from the Macharnudo pago.

While sold as a VORS (guaranteed minimum age of 30 years) is at least twice that age, and probably older. The entire solera is compromise of 52 barrels and only 1.5% of the wine is drawn yearly from each barrel. The entire collection of barrels dates back to 1982 and is divided into 4 criaderas. The first 6-8 years of this solera is under floor and the rest remains exposed to oxygen. With time the wine becomes more concentrated loosing water and gaining in complexity.

ABOUT THIS PRODUCER

The Amontillado 51-1A (called "Amontillado 51 Primero") is one of the oldest existing soleras in the Jerez district dating back to 1830. While sold as a VORS (guaranteed minimum age of 30 years) is at least twice that age, and probably older. The entire solera is compromise of 52 barrels and only 1.5% of the wine is drawn yearly from each barrel. After the dismantling by Pernod Ricard of the Allied Domecq empire in 2005, the VORS soleras were bought by Osborne and moved to El Puerto de Santa Maria, where they now form part of the bodega/museum along with other amazing soleras. These old wines have been beautifully looked after by oenologist Ignacio Lozano, despite their lack of real profitability. They could never be sold for their real value, but help give prestige to the bodega and its other products. And to Sherry in general. In case of any confusion, there are still some of these wines around in the slightly different Domecq bottles.