According to Jancis Robinson’s “Guide to Wine Grapes“, Pedro Ximenez “… is capable of producing very ripe grapes and is by far the dominant grape for the sherry-like wines of [Montilla-Moriles->http://www.montilla-moriles.org/].” My experience, up until my moving to Spain, was that of watching a small bottle of PX linger on the shelf at my retail wine shop without anyone quite knowing how to sell it!

This has changed, and while I still haven’t found a direct connection with this mysterious wine, I have learned that I need to explore it more. I’ve even read that it is often poured over vanilla ice cream! – though this is also not the only way that people use this grape. Depending on where it is produced, it can create a crisp dry sherry with a rich nuttiness and delicate melon aromas.

Below are a few notes, the first obviously from a sweeter version, while the last three quick notes I took at [FENAVIN->http://fenavin.org/entrada.php] on the drier version of this grape. Let me know what you think!

Till soon, Ryan

• 2003 Alvear Montilla-Moriles PX de Añada – Spain, Andalucía, Montilla-Moriles (3/11/2005)
  Golden light brown with a viscousity that I have not seen before, granted this is my first PX. Brown sugar with dried apricot and dare I say mango? Maple syrup maybe cherries, peaches baked with cinnamon and a strange ethereal overtone of salt air. Heavy, Heavy, did I mention heavy? Thick like maple syrup with a sweetness that lingers on and on and on and on….Cinnamon, fresh coffee, caramel, baked fruit(both peaches and apricots) and toffee. What I’m not getting is any nuttiness, but maybe a light oak. My mind wants to put nuts into it but my palate says no. Strong acidity throughout and a strange Honeydew flavor that comes through on the finish. Wow…interesting, not one dimensional at all, like many heavy stickies tend to be. I won’t rate this till I have more, and while this is on the low end pricewise for PX’s I can’t imagine what better tastes like! YUM!

• N.V. Bodegas Navarro Fino Solera Fundación 1830 – Spain, Jerez, Montilla Moriles (5/11/2005)
  Pale gold. Slightly oxidized on the nose with a flesh fruit character to it. Medium weight with a creamy nut quality. Overall dry with salty melon and white grape showing in the palate. c5a11t15o6 (87 pts.)
• N.V. Perez Barquero Gran Barquero Fino – Spain, Jerez, Montilla Moriles (5/11/2005)
  Pale clear. Soft oak nose with light melon. Austere with dry salt air and a pleasant play between the wood and the acidity. c5a10t15o6 (86 pts.)
• N.V. Bodegas Robles Piedra Luenga Fino Ecologico – Spain, Jerez (5/11/2005)
  Pale clear. Nose of light salt air and melon. Light to medium body with a light salty melon character and notes of almond and hazelnut. c5a10t14o6 (85 pts.)

Posted from CellarTracker!