NV Williams & Humbert Gran Duque d'Alba Solera Gran Reserva Brandy de Jerez, Spain, Wine Review

First off, this is not wine, it is Brandy. That said, it is distilled from young, Palomino and Airén grapes. Then aged for ten to twelve years in American oak that had previously been used for oloroso sherry. It is 40% abv. Light golden in color. The nose has alcohol but also a nice nuttiness with a bit of dates. On the palate, this is warm but not hot. There are nice figs along with caramel. Warmth on the finish. For $30, this is a nice value in Brandy. Best sipped on its own.

Grade:

A-

Score:

Current Price:

$40.00USD

NV Williams & Humbert Collection Don Zoilo Manzanilla Sherry, Spain, Jerez, Wine Review

Score:

Grade:

B+

Current Price:

$29.00USD

This is similar to a Fino, that is grown under a Flor, but a bit inland from Jerez. Slightly pink/gold in color, clear and bright. The nose is slightly nutty with a nice salinity. There is also a slight apple cider note. On the palate, this is very smooth. Slight red apples with a bit of warmth and bitterness. It does not have a lot of acidity. The finish is a bit bitter. The wine is slightly oxidized but not bad. It begs for salty food. Drink over the next year or two.

NV Emilio Lustau Jerez-Xérès-Sherry Amontillado Los Arcos Seco - Dry Solera Familiar, Spain, Jerez, Wine Review

Score:

Grade:

A-

This is a relatively inexpensive bottle of sherry (I paid $10 on sale). Light golden in color. The nose is very nice; nuts, slight caramel, slight saline and of course "Sherried". On the palate, this is dry. Nutty with some caramel notes. A bit of bitterness. Some alcohol. Deep and texture. Contemplative. Long finish. Great value. It really does perform much better with salty foods.

NV Harveys Bristol Cream Sherry, Spain, Jerez, Wine Review

Score:

Grade:

B+

Current Price:

$15.00USD

Cream Sherry is a specific style of Sherry that is sweet. Harvey's Bristol Cream is a blend of Fino, Amontillado and Oloroso, with some Pedro Ximénez. At one point, this was the largest selling Sherry. While it might have fallen out of favor in recent years, it still has a large set of devoted fans. Tawny in color. The nose has a nice caramel covered apple quality to it with just a bit of toffee. There is little oxidation showing on the nose. On the palate, this is nice. Sweet but less than expected. Caramel and nuttiness, with a slight salinity. No hint of heat or alcohol. This

NV Bodegas Tradición Jerez-Xérès-Sherry Amontillado 30 Years Old VORS, Spain, Jerez, Wine Review

Score:

Grade:

A+

Sherries are to a particular taste. Very Old Rare Sherries may even be more so due to the cost. Personally, I love them. This bottle was consumed over three days. It was at its best on day 3 (wine was corked and stored on the counter). Gorgeous color of shimmering light brown/gold/orange. Clear and bright in the glass. On the nose, this is so complex. Caramel, tootsie rolls, some alcohol, camphor/iodine, and minerals. Complex. On day 2 and 3, the alcohol is less noticeable. It is oxidized but doesn't offend (me). On the palate, it feels like there will be a bit from either the a

NV Gonzalez-Byass Palomino Fino Jerez-Xérès-Sherry Tío Pepe (Muy Seco-Extra Dry), Spain, Jerez, Wine Review

Score:

Grade:

A-

Current Price:

$18.00USD

Sherries are not for everyone. That is a shame. I love them. The "trick" to the lighter dry ones is to pair them with the right food. Salty foods seem to tame the oxidation and have a synergistic effect. This bottle is good on its own but pair with olive, salty cheese or even salty peanuts and it blossoms. It also benefits from a bit of air and a slight chill. Pale golden in color. The nose has a good amount of volatile acidity (nail polish) and slight oxidation. There is a pine quality along with a bit of stale almonds and a bit of a woody note. None of those sounds particularly

NV Williams & Humbert Gran Duque d'Alba Solera Gran Reserva Brandy de Jerez, Spain, Wine Review

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