Fondillón, is an unusual and rare wine from the Vinalopó region of Alicante and is produced exclusively from Monastrell (Mourvèdre), Fondillones have the distinction of great longevity, capable of extended ageing in solera, protected by a naturally higher level of alcohol, achieved through overripening the grapes on the vine and are never fortified.
This 50 year old is from a single barrel 805 litre solera, aged in 19th century American oak. Each bottle has a handwritten label, with an individual number, the barrel name ‘Saboners’ and bottling date. This cask has since been topped with another Fondillón, of at least 50 years old, and will be left for a minimum of 10 years before any further wine is extracted. Only 435 bottles have been produced from this saca.
Original tasting note from Richard Kelley MW.
'Luminous. Deep, garnet appearance moving towards brown. The wine is almost moving towards green at the rim. Swirl, and it’s easy to note the level of concentration. It is highly textured in the glass; not unlike an aged balsamic.
Immediate and concentrated nose, with much greater depth than the 25 Year Old. Complex and brooding. There are notable savoury elements; more so than sweet. Distinctly autumnal: ‘sous bois’, tobacco and tar, bonfires and treacle. Toffee-apple and candyfloss. Honeycomb and lapsang-souchong tea…
Immense of entry. The high-toned, thrilling acidity dictates the structure of the wine. This is highly textured and extremely complex, with more shades of autumn on the palate. Even a touch saline. The extract is such that this is pretty-well impossible to spit. The level of acidity makes the wine appear dry to the finish. The tasting sensation is with me still after 30 minutes of tasting the wine…
Unique and finite. This can never be repeated in its current guise and is like drinking a piece of history.'
