Amontillado (Gutiérrez Colosía)

This is the entry-level Amontillado from Bodegas Gutiérrez Colosía, located right by the sea in El Puerto de Santa María. It starts its life as a Fino and after three years it moves to an oxidative phase which lasts another five years. At the time of bottling, it is around 8-9 years old.

Gutiérrez Colosía also has a much older Amontillado Solera Familiar (around 50 years of age).

Amontillado (18%, Gutiérrez Colosía)

Nose: it’s easy to notice the Fino background of this wine. Maritime notes, some sea air, but also plenty of round notes like (salted) caramel, runny honey and almonds. Subtle notes of flor. Hints of dried apricot and a soft layer of polished oak.

Mouth: surprisingly creamy, warm and nutty, with fairly low acidity and just a very soft tangy edge in the background. Hazelnuts and almonds. Hints of toffee. Hazelnuts, almonds and honey coated peanuts. A very light hint of olive brine in the end. Medium finish.

Availability: around € 25. Also available in half bottles. Check The Whisky Exchange for international shipping.

Summary: This is a relatively gentle, warm Amontillado. Hinting towards Palo Cortado in some respects. It shows its Fino heritage but with the sharp edges rounded off, which makes it very easy to like.

3.5

Good

Tags: 18%, Amontillado, El Puerto de Santa Maria, Gutierrez Colosía

About the Author

Ruben is a Certified Sherry Educator who fell in love with sherry some 25 years ago, but switched to a higher gear in 2013 and started writing about it. Lived in Madrid for a couple of years, now back in Belgium. I also run a whisky blog over at www.whiskynotes.be