Fino C.B. Alvear

SWIC score: 88 (JMG)

Tasting notes: Green apple, salty, dead leaves, sharp.

Available: BC (BCLS 154476 - $ 17.99)

Winery: Bodegas Alvear

Region: D.O. Montilla-Moriles (Andalucía)

Varieties: 100% Pedro Ximénez

Ageing: more than 5 years in American oak by the solera system

Alcohol level: 15% alc./vol.

Bodegas Alvear has created this Fino (a sherry style wine but from Montilla-Moriles D.O. instead of Jerez D.O.) with a surprising characteristic: it is not made with Palomino grape -which is the typical for Finos and the other sherries- but with Pedro Ximénez grape, which is usually used for sweet wines. As it has a higher sugar level, this Fino C.B. doesn’t need to receive any added alcohol as it naturally reaches the 15% wished. Apart from that, it tastes as a regular Fino and it shows prominent elegance and freshness. Spanish tapas and other appetizers are the best pairings for it.

Vintage tasted: N.V. (January 2013)