Paleish, old gold with slight amber hue, legs.
Nose
Very attractive and interesting; a complex array of aromas starting with oxidised Fino, rich and full - at that half-way stage between Fino and Amontillado - some dried fruits such as sultana and a trace of barrels, something slightly humid and autumnal, the beginnings of that delightful Amontillado smell of toasted hazelnuts with a hint of honeyed sweetness, quince jelly.
Palate
Starts with a certain sweetness, but is actually dry, some glycerol here which one would have expected to be lost under the flor, but there is a (not unattractive) oiliness which will give way to a crisper wine with further ageing. Acidity is low but there is a slight tang, and already considerable length.
Comments
This could be described as work in progress. Very good work. The solera dates from 1874 and this wine is from (if I remember correctly) the 3rd criadera with an average age of 15 years. Amontillado El Tresillo 1874 is the finished wine, somewhere around 50 years old, and any self-respecting Sherry fan will HAVE to try the finished wine after trying this one - which I definitely recommend. This is REAL Sherry, constantly evolving. One of the very few Sherries to be sealed with a driven cork, and thus better able to be laid down, which would certainly be worth doing. Tresillo is a card game once popular at the bodega.
Price
Ex bodega 25.00 euros, and well worth it. UK agent Les Caves de Pyrene.
