NV 1905 Oloroso Solera Fundacional (Lot B)
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Tasting Notes
Pérez Barquero’s 1905 Solera Fundacional dates back to – as you might guess from the name – the winery’s foundation in 1905, containing the very oldest wines from the estate. The average age of the wine drawn off is around 90 years. Deep, golden brown in colour with a nose that hits you from a mile away, this is an extraordinary wine. Dried apple, raisin and sultana leap from the glass, followed by sultry undertones of almond, walnut and orange rind. Though the wine is fully dry, the shadow of something sweet, almost pastry-like, lingers in the background. The finish is full of savoury, umami richness, reminiscent of an umeboshi plum without the sourness. Incredibly full-bodied, mouthcoating, unctuous and eminently drinkable, this Oloroso is truly a marvel. Around 22% alcohol and 8.5g/l residual sugar, this 1,000-bottle lot (Lot B) was drawn from the solera in February 2016. (The previous release was drawn off in 2002.)
Critic Scores
Luis Gutiérrez, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
The NV 1905 Oloroso Solera Fundacional Lot B 2016 is a recent bottling (February 2016) that followed those 1,000 bottles originally filled in 2002. So the old average age of the wine is kept, because so little of it is bottled. We know how extremely old Oloroso can be almost painful, but this feels quite balanced. Obviously old, the greenish border gives it away; it's believed to be around 80 years of average age, and has an expressive nose of noble woods, roasted hazelnuts, incense and balsam, rusty nails, even some savory notes (chicken broth?) and some Sherry brandy. Reading the technical data I found out this has 11.5 grams of residual sugar, I guess from pure concentration and evaporation because of its old age, as there are no signs that it had ever been blended with some sweet wine. In any case, the palate is balanced and you do not feel any sweetness at all, but maybe that little sugar is the secret why it feels gentle rather than harsh. This Lot B is composed of 1,000 numbered bottles.
About the producer
Established in 1905, Pérez Barquero is the leading estate in Montilla-Moriles, producing dry and sweet expressions of Pedro Ximénez. It is best known for its old soleras, producing exquisitely aged Amontillado, Oloroso and Palo Cortado that are some of the finest in Andalusia.