Alvear Fino En Rama 2012
Alvear Fino En Rama 2012 is a testament to the mastery of sherry production by Bodegas Alvear, one of the oldest wineries in Spain. This Fino En Rama, meaning "on the branch," is an unfiltered and unclarified fino sherry that showcases the raw, unadulterated beauty of the wine. Crafted from the Palomino grape in the Montilla-Moriles region, this expression is a time capsule capturing the essence of the 2012 harvest.
Winemaker Notes
"En Rama" means that it is unblended and has not been stabilized and only lightly filtered to enhance its individuality. This is a unique product, the first ever made "single vintage" Fino in modern history.
The wine has a bright pale-straw golden color. Slightly pungent on the nose, with a somewhat tangy almond like aroma; sometimes a touch fruity. Bone dry on the palate and quite savory, this wine presents an elegant style with typical Montilla grapey character. The wine is a nice partner with tapas, shellfish, fish, cheese, snacks, hors d'oeuvre and salads. The ultimate partner for Mediterranean food due to the abundance of natural sugars that are accumulated during the ripening process, the wine will reach 15% alcohol naturally, without the necessity of adding any extra alcohol. This is the key to Alvear’s Fino and Amontillado, and the intensity of their Oloroso.
Tasting Notes
In the glass, Alvear Fino En Rama 2012 unveils a pale golden hue with a slight haziness, showcasing its unfiltered nature. The aroma is a bouquet of almonds, green apple, and a subtle brininess, characteristic of a well-crafted fino sherry. On the palate, it offers a crisp and bone-dry experience with flavors of green olives, sea salt, and a hint of citrus zest. The finish is refreshing, leaving a lingering saline minerality.
How to Enjoy
To fully appreciate the authenticity of Alvear Fino En Rama 2012, serve it well-chilled in a traditional copita or white wine glass. As this fino is unfiltered, gently shake the bottle before pouring to incorporate the natural sediments. Enjoy it as an aperitif or during a moment of contemplation. The sherry's raw and unaltered state invites you to connect with the winemaker's vision and the unique characteristics of the 2012 vintage.
Food Pairing
Alvear Fino En Rama 2012 is a versatile companion for a variety of tapas and Spanish delicacies. Pair it with traditional tapas such as marinated olives, Jamón Ibérico, or Manchego cheese to complement the wine's saline and nutty notes. Seafood dishes, especially those featuring fresh oysters or grilled sardines, are exceptional matches, allowing the fino's brininess to harmonize with the flavors of the sea.
Overall
Alvear Fino En Rama 2012 stands as a unique and compelling expression of fino sherry, offering a glimpse into the nuances of a specific vintage and the unfettered essence of the Palomino grape. This unfiltered fino is a must-try for sherry enthusiasts, providing a sensory journey that transports you to the sun-soaked vineyards of Montilla-Moriles. Alvear Fino En Rama 2012 is a bottled testament to the craftsmanship and authenticity that define Bodegas Alvear's commitment to the art of sherry production.
Professional Ratings
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91 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Over 85% of the 2012 Fino en Rama comes from the 2012 harvest, a warm and low-yielding vintage that delivered healthy grapes. The wine matured under a veil of flor yeasts without being fortified until it was bottled. There are two bottlings of this wine, one in spring and this second one in October 2018, when 10,000 bottles were produced. The wines from Montilla are not usually fortified because Pedro Ximénez, the grape grown there, achieves higher ripeness than Palomino (the grape from Jerez) and the wines achieve 15% natural alcohol. I tasted this powerful and nuanced wine in a Burgundy glass, which I believe does it better than a small wine glass. It was pungent with aromas of wet chalk, esparto grass, hay and straw, and it had a crisp and dry palate. It felt quite young, as the single-harvest biological wines tend to develop at a faster pace.
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90 James Suckling
Quite a generous and creamy fino (thanks to the bottling without filtration), this would make a very attractive aperitif or a partner to tapas. Drink now.