Toro Albala Don PX 2002

Description

Toro Albalá should need little introduction as the most significant producer of Pedro Ximénez in the world today. Under the guidance of Antonio Sánchez Romero, in 1970, Toro Albalá was the first Montilla producer to commercialise bottled, dessert-styled Pedro Ximénez. We believe the Bodega also remains the world’s only specialist in 100% vintage Pedro Ximénez. Toro Albalá works with the finest vineyard holdings in Montilla and today houses the oldest and most legendary stocks in the region.

Founded in 1844, Toro Albalá is based in Aguilar de la Frontera, right in the bullseye of DO Montilla-Moriles, the hilly Andalucían hinterland that forms ‘P.X. country’. The DO surrounds the two towns of Montilla in the north and Moriles in the south, both in the Province of Cordoba. In 1922 José Maria Toro Albalá purchased the Estate and made his mark by moving the whole Bodega into a former electrical plant. It was here that José Maria began to write the blueprint for the modern incarnation of Toro Albalá.

Toro Albalá’s old, bush-vine Pedro Ximénez is planted on the bleach-white, chalky albariza soils of the region. This soil type is not unique to Montilla-Moriles—Sherry’s other capitals of Sanlúcar de Barrameda and Jerez de la Frontera share the spoils. However, the combination of these light soils with altitude and the hot, dry climate—one that can sufficiently ripen Pedro Ximénez—set Montilla apart from its maritime-influenced sister regions.

This producer’s reputation lies in the balance of extraordinary sun-ripened richness and depth of old vine P.X., combined with a bright, savoury quality, which never allows the wines to veer into the cloying end of the spectrum. This is managed through strict quality control, from the old vines and great soils, all the way through their very long aging process.

The Bodega’s mindboggling vintage wines are black as pitch, indescribably complex and represent the most profound expressions of P.X. from Andalucía.

About this vintage: Toro Albalá reserve select lots of their best vintage wines for later release. These rich and complex Pedro Ximénez wines are destined for very long aging in oak barrels. After filling and sealing, these barrels are left for decades in their single-vintage state. It’s during this slow maturation that the wines undertake their delicious, savoury, rancio transformation (through controlled exposure to oxygen) which brings a kind of nutty, iodine character that infinitely complexes the sweet, fruit cakey wine but also gives it added freshness. Naturally, as the wines concentrate in flavour and texture, the colour darkens and the mouth-feel thickens. Vintages are selected for release after a minimum of 20 years in barrel and only when they have attained these classic hallmarks of aged PX.

Pedro Ximénez’ affinity with chocolate-based desserts is well known. Perhaps less well-known is how well the wines pair with salty blue cheeses. This is particularly the case with Toro Albalá’s younger vintage wines. This can also match well with fig-based desserts and sweet pastries. It can be kept opened in the fridge forever by the way, which makes it perfect for pouring by the glass or keeping. The Don PX has also become popular as a cocktail mixer due to its depth of flavour and superb price point.

93+ points, Luis Gutiérrez, The Wine Advocate “I tasted the 2002 Don PX, which has 17% alcohol and 399 grams of sugar and seems denser and more concentrated than the 1999 I tasted next to it. They are all different degrees or declinations of similar aromas and flavors, such as dates, raisins, coffee and espresso coffee. This comes through as balanced and tasty, not too sweet.”

RRP $100   Our Special Price $79.99 when you buy 3 of this wine. (375 ml bottles)