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

Pedro Ximénez 15%, Viña Callejuela

Appearance

Deep, dark mahogany fading to amber with bright ruby highlights, legs.

Nose

Intensely fruity with lots of pasas and dates with background hints of dried apricot and a very slightly spicey note like ginger, then there are notes of light toffee and everything is in perfect harmony.

Palate

It is viscous and very sweet (naturally) but the intensity of flavour distracts the attention with its dried fruits, brown sugar and that spice note, and it has a lovely fruit pulp texture and traces of tannin from the grape skins. Despite the sweetness its long finish is very clean, lingering for ages.

Comments 

The Blanco brothers of Viña Callejuela produce two PX wines, this standard version and the 20 year old version which scored 93 Parker points last year. Like all their wines, both the PXs are produced from their own vines which they care for assiduously being staunch believers that the better the grapes, the better the wine. I think this wine is about 5 years old.

Price

About 12 euros from Licores Corredera