Pedro Ximénez 15%, Bodegas Fernández Gao

Appearance

Opaque browny black fading to amber at the rim, viscous.
Nose
Very fruity, predominantly pasa but hints of prune and dried fig too. It has that lovely smell of raisins on their redores (esparto mats) out in the sun as well as notes of carob, molasses and Christmas cake. 
Palate
Amazing viscosity with an attractive dried grape pulp texture, pure raisin concentrate! Super smooth and mouth-filling with just enough acidity to mitigate some of the sweetness giving it a soft treacly tang and very good length. 
Comments

This lovely PX has an average age of over 12 years and comes from a small solera in the bodega San Jorge in Calle Arcos, Jerez. Fernández Gao is the welcome reincarnation of a historic old bodega of the same name whose origins date back to 1750. In 2014 Jerez businessman Antonio Sánchez Gago bought two disused bodegas in Calle Pajarete (formerly Real Tesoro) and Calle Arcos along with the original firm's various brand names and, using family soleras as a starting point, set up the new firm along with his brother Juan Carlos who is the oenologist. It is early days but the wines are very good and have already received some deservedly good scores from the critics.

Price
26,60 per 50cl, Licores Corredera

Medium Sweet 17%, Fernández Gao

Appearance
Copper tinged mahogany fading through amber.
Nose

Lots of fresh fruity raisins and hints of figs and dates but behind that there are aromas of toasted almonds and traces of oak, all nicely balanced. There is an attractive freshness as well as a degree of sophistication in this wine which is a little different from the norm.

Palate

Sweet and raisiny up front yet fresh and fairly light, then a slightly more serious side makes an appearance, charged with traces of oak and almond and a hint of marzipan. It has a gentle texture and good length, finishing quite dry with no sign of cloying.

Comments

This wine is most attractive and slightly unusual. It is made from a blend of Amontillado - not Oloroso - and enough Pedro Ximenez to provide 100 g/l sugars in the finished wine. It sounds sweet, and it is quite sweet, but not as sweet as a Cream which contains at least 115 g/l sugars. It is this which gives it its character and charm, especially as the PX is younger than the Amontillado and still has lots of grapiness. The wine has an average age of 12 years. The quality of the wines from this firm is very good and they deserve the success which they will undoubtedly achieve.

Price
24 euros per 50 cl ex bodega