Venerableis the Pedro Ximnez inOsbornes Very Old Rare Sherry range (seeAmontillado 51-1afor instance) currently housed in theirBodega de Morain El Puerto de Santa Mara.

The solera for this wine was set in 1902 byPedro Domecqand consists of three criaderas and a solera row (103 barrels in total). Itis made with Pedro Ximnez grapes sourced from albariza soils in Montilla.

Nose:nice and thick, with an above average dose of Turkish coffee, as well as fig syrup, dates and some aromatic hints of balsamic vinegar and polished oak. Caramel, toffee, a hint of dark bread. Some heavily roasted nuts, liquorice and a light hint of wet earth. Quite complex.

Mouth:very sweet and dense, quite velvety, with truckloads of succulent raisins but also big hints of dark chocolate and strong cappuccino. Dried figs. Molasses. Treacle. Theres a tiny bit of acidity (like in coffee, exactly) with a chestnut bitterness as well as a pinch of pepper to break the sweetness. This chocolate and coffee combo is really what sets it apart, especially in the finish this is quite impressive.