Alvear Amontillado Carlos VII - 500ml

Light chestnut bright gold color. Pungent and complex bouquet, inimitable nutty and dried fig deep flavor and character, both soft and strong. Silky dry on palate with a long, complex and elegant finish.

The Carlos VII is an Amontillado that has been aging for more than 15 years in a traditional "Solera System" during and after the flor, gaining complexity and full round aromas while retaining the freshness of its origins as a Fino. An harmonious blend of finesse, elegance and age.

Wine Spectator: 91
Takes a dry, taut approach from the start, with singed orange peel and bitter almond notes lining the green tea, dried passion fruit, Earl Grey tea and toasted parchment paper flavors. The long finish shows nice tension.

Wine Advocate: 93
The NV Amontillado Carlos VII has a medium/dark color, notes of toffee, roasted nuts and coffee, but finishes dry with great acidity and penetrating almond-paste-like flavors. This is pretty impressive and the Solera that is the base of this cuvée is at least 15 years of age. Drink now through 2030.

Wine Enthusiast: 91
Maple, toffee and leather aromas combine nicely on a nutty, driving bouquet. The palate feels narrow and compact, with pointed flavors of saline, nuts and dried apricot. Finishes with power. Made from the Pedro Ximenez grape, not the more common Palomino.

James Suckling: 92
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.