“Boy, did I enjoy this wine. It is very unique although I am told this style of wine used to be more prevalent. It is an aged Fino style Sherry that was aged for 15 years from a Solera started in 1961. Just gorgeous but it is different. It is a deep golden color with just a hint of amber. Clear and bright. The nose is big with a lot of alcohol and some volatile acidity (the later blows off slightly with air). Also an almond/nuttiness and salinity to the nose. Full bodied. Complex, contemplative and deep. Bone dry on the palate. The nutty salinity come thru along with a petrol note but in a very good way. Some warmth on the finish. This is interesting to drink on its own, but really kicks into gear with some salty foods. Every sip gets better. Consumed over three nights, it was good on all nights but best on night two. I am not sure how often this bottling is released so better to stick to retailers who know their sherries if you are planning on ageing it.” 

“’Fino Amontillado’ is a style of Sherry that’s virtually extinct. It was made from old wines that had almost lost their flor and had begun to oxidize, their color darkening as they gained depth and complexity. Although Panesa is not, strictly speaking, a Fino Amontillado, it has the characteristics of those wines from the past. With an average of 15 years of aging in Solera (ten more than most Finos), it takes the lifespan of flor to the limit, creating a wine that’s intoxicating in its mineral and dried-fruit fragrance. Bone dry, saline flavors drive the wine from beginning to end, their abundance leaving no room for sweetness. This is the definition of verticality and elegance.”

“This small producer in Jerez does not seek publicity but is worth tracking down. All the wines are excellent and several exceptional. The complex La Panesa is one for the grown-ups, at the very limit of flor ageing, at an average 15 years old.”

“From a fifth-generation family business. In the 15-year-old La Panesa solera, the flor has all but died, leaving a rich, nutty wine.”

“The Fino La Panesa N/V is a reference for old Fino, pushing the limits of biological aging. Bottled at an impressive old age of 15 years from a solera created in 1961, it shows a deep golden color and a nose full of dried nuts (hazelnuts), elegant, complex and balanced, with intense salinity, pungent flavors, a full, wide palate and great length. This is a superb example of how to control the power of very old, biological Sherries. As with most of the NV wines, it’s impossible to distinguish the different bottlings so it’s hard to give a drinking window, because you’ll not know how old the bottle you have is, but the wine has the stuffing to last and even improve for a good five years. This is one of the greatest Finos in existence today.”

“The average age of this blend is 15 years, making it one of the oldest Finos you’re likely to encounter in Jerez. And indeed it has deeper flavors than most Finos, with a richness and a structure more appropriate to an Amontillado. Packed with nuttiness, exotic spice and hints of caramel, the wine has vivid acidity.”

“Shows lots of range, featuring singed persimmon, dried nectarine, walnut and green tea notes, with a long bitter almond note on the finish. A big fino with invigorating acidity.”

“Subtle, floral, semi-sour. Perfectly nice if a little simple.” (15 out of 20 points)

“Pale gold. Subtle but yeasty. Very tangy, slightly sweaty, more pungent than complex, long salty finish.”

“Thanks to extended aging (15 years, versus three to five years for most Finos), this is a unique sherry that is a solid choice to serve as a dinner wine.”

Recommended

“Subtle, floral, semi-sour. Perfectly nice if a little simple.” (15 out of 20 points)