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 wine: The Don PX wines come from the youngest sweet vintage wines of Toro Albalá. The carefully selected Pedro Ximénez grapes were hand-harvested and left to dehydrate under the sun on straw mats for about seven days. The grapes were then pressed, and when the perfect balance between sugar, alcohol and acidity was reached in the tank, the yeast was stunned with Aguardiente (clear local brandy) to stop the fermentation. The fortified wine was decanted into stainless steel and large cone-shaped amphorae known locally as tinajas. The wine must be naturally settled to avoid filtering because of its richness, so it’s bottled straight from these holding vessels.
Deep amber with coppery highlights. Raisins and figs lead, layered with honey and dried date, lifted by a touch of muscatel and the racy acidity that keeps this from ever turning cloying. Unctuous and concentrated, with a savoury, vegetal edge on the finish—the house signature of balance over sheer weight. 100% hand-harvested Pedro Ximénez, 17% abv.
Old bush-vine fruit off chalky albariza soils, married to decades of winemaking discipline, is what gives their PX its trademark lift alongside the richness. A natural with chocolate desserts, salty blue cheese, or figs—equally good by the glass chilled as it is at room temperature.
RRP $67 Our Special 3 BOTTLE BUY $58.99 each when you buy 3 or more of this wine – 375 ml bottles.
