Alvear Amontillado Carlos VII [375 mL]
(Montilla-Moriles, Spain) - [JS 93] [WA 92] [JS 92] [WS 91]

Winemaker Notes:

Alvear S.A. was established by Don Diego de Alvear in 1729, and since that time has remained under control of the Alvear family. This is the oldest winery in the region. The Alvear family owns 310 acres (125 Ha.) of vineyards located in the most famous pagos of la Sierra de Montilla, Moriles, and Las Puentes. The Alvear family also works with viticulturists that have traditional, long lasting relationships with the family.

About this Wine

Alvear Amontillado Carlos VII is Alvear's most emblematic Amontillado and one of the most important wines the family produces, as it is the family's standard bearer for Montilla-Moriles' most traditional style of wine. It is, for all intents and purposes, an extremely old Fino that is aged on average for 30 years in the system of soleras & criaderas. This long ageing period concentrates the wine significantly, resulting in high alcohol, incredibly high acidity, and a total lack of glycerine from completing a full 12-15 year cycle under flor. One of the most compelling wines in the Alvear portfolio.

Denominacion de Origen

D.O. Montilla-Moriles

Location

Sierra de Montilla de Calidad Superior, the Grand Cru subzone of Montilla-Moriles, south of Córdoba, Spain

Varietal

100% Pedro Ximénez

Vineyards

Alvear’s Grandes Soleras are all sourced from 125 Ha. of estate owned vineyards located in the Sierra de Montilla de Calidad Superior, the Grand Cru subzone of Montilla-Moriles.

Year(s) Planted

1920-1980

Viticulture

Old head-trained vines farmed completely sustainably without organic certification, but avoiding all use of harmful fungicides, pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, and irrigation.

Soils

Albariza. Rich in calcium carbonate, with the soil and subsoil composed of soft marlstone, a type of soil composed mostly of limestone and mud. These soils are poor in organic matter, infertile, of a simple mineral composition, with a crumbly consistency.

Climate

Semi-Continental Mediterranean. Extremely high temperatures and irregular rainfall from year to year.

Winemaking

Alvear Amontillado Carlos VII is the family's most emblematic Amontillado, produced in the classic style of Montilla-Moriles, as an extremely old Fino that was produced without fortification. The wine is produced from Pedro Ximénez base wine fermented to 15% (without fortification) in tinaja. After winter, wines are classified for ageing, and wine destined for Amontillado Carlos VII will be aged for an average of 30 years in the system of soleras & criaderas - first under velo de flor and oxidatively after the flor dies.

Aging

Alvear Amontillado Carlos VII is aged in American oak butts for an average of 30 years in the system of soleras & criaderas, first under velo de flor and oxidatively after the flor dies.

Ratings & Reviews:

93 Points - Jeb Dunnuck 
"The NV Alvear Amontillado Carlos VII is a beauty, with more elegance and purity than the Criadera A release. Caramelized citrus, honey, salted peanuts, hints of blue cheese, and tons of spice notes all flow to a powerful yet elegant sherry that has bright acidity and a beautiful finish. This release can be thought of as a very old Fino where the flor has died and sunk to the bottom of the barrel, exposing the wine to oxygen and oxidation, which concentrates the wine (and raises the alcohol)." (9/2019)

92 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate:
"The 2019 bottling of the NV Amontillado Carlos VII is believed to be around 25 years of age and combines 12 years of biological aging under flor (Fino) with oxidative upbringing in topped-up barrels for another 12 years, but there's no indication of age (or bottling date) anywhere on the front or back label. It's a bit spirity (it's 19% alcohol), with a bitter twist in the finish, ample and long, lifted by the alcohol. 4,200 375-milliliter bottles were filled in February 2019." - Luis Gutierrez (Jun 2019)

92 Points - James Suckling: 
"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." (Jul 2019)

91 Points - Wine Spectator:
"A bone-dry version, with mandarin orange, burnt peach and green tea notes running through, while a flash of walnut husk checks in on the tangy, racy finish. For Sherry purists. Drink now. 500 cases made, 250 cases imported." - JM (web only 2023)