Observations

The Soleras of our Very Old Rare Sherries were established towards the end of the 19th Century. Each individually registered bottle of the "Valdespino V.O.R.S. Collection" represents over 100 years of careful selection by generations of expert oenologists. The result is a Sherry unique in character, intensity and complexity. Palo Cortado is a rare type of Sherry. It began life as a Fino under a veil of flor yeast but soon changed its mind and the flor disappeared, leaving the wine to age oxidatively like an Oloroso, but always with that memory of the flor. In simple terms, Palos Cortados have the aroma of Amontillado and the flavour of Oloroso. The grapes for this outstanding and rare wine come from very old vines planted in the chalky soils of our vineyards in the famous Pago Macharnudo Alto. The youngest criadera of this tiny 7 butt solera is replenished with carefully selected 25 year old wine from the CP (Calle Ponce) solera, and when Cardenal is finally bottled it has an average age of over 50 years. Light mahogany in colour with greenish tones, it has complex, mineral, nutty aroma, while it seems to last forever on the palate with slightly balsamic notes of nuts, oak and minerals, even a trace of smoke.