Fortified Wines

WINEMAKING The must destined for Alfonso comes from the second press of the pneumatic Willmes presses so as to obtain slightly more structure and body. Following fermentation to between 11% and 12% alcohol the wine is fo...(read more)

Aged eight years under a natural layer of 'flor' yeast, and given a further eight years of 'oxidative' ageing prior to being blended with a small amount of Pedro Ximenez before bottling. This superior Amontillado is inte...(read more)

Light, pale, fresh, crisp, a delightful summer aperitif, and like the Inocente, should be tried with fish, which it accompanies much better than many of the classic matches (Chablis, Sancerre etc...).

The best Fino on the market, single vineyard (Macharnudo district) and barrel-fermented, a bit fuller bodied than most. A perfect accompaniment to smoked fish (and almost any other fish dish) as well as being a delightfu...(read more)

The best PX available. So rich, so sweet and yet so moreish. (Must be tried poured over ice cream with raisins soaked overnight in PX)

Very dry Amontillado, aged fifteen years with complexity and intense rich flavours on the dry finish. Among the Jerezanos this is the most popular of the Valdespino wines. Fabulous with 'jamon serrano'.

87% Palomino Fino, 13% Pedro Ximénez. The Palomino grapes are pressed using pneumatic Wilmes presses, and only the free-run and first-press musts are used for this wine. Following fermentation to between 11% and 1...(read more)

Wonderful rich dry Oloroso, with tremendous warm round raisiny flavour and length. Recently top of the tasting of dry sherries in Wine magazine, where it is described as 'generous, alluring and rich... a wonderful, elega...(read more)

Described as an "Oloroso Dulce" on the label, it is only just sweet enough to soften the old, dry and concentrated flavour.

Fonseca's 1992 is a majestic young Port that rivals the house's great efforts (1985, 1977, 1970, 1963). This colossalVintagePortreveals a nearly opaque black/purple colour, and an explosive nose of jammy black fruits, li...(read more)

Exceptionally deep crimson. Still some blue, even. Very dense and polished. Slightly dry and clarety, a bit like the Dow 1980, but juicier than the Dow. Very good density. Clean, sinewy and muscular. No spirit in evidenc...(read more)

The 1992 Taylor’s Vintage Port has a black/purple colour with only slight maturation on the rim. The nose has always been so intense, a kaleidoscope of damson, raspberry, crushed violets and just a touch of alcoholic war...(read more)