La Bota de Oloroso Montilla 74

Sourced from the same solera as the La Bota 46, from the cellars of Pérez Barquero in Montilla-Moriles, but this time taken only from the solera, the NV La Bota de Oloroso 74 “Montilla” is Pedro Ximénez that has been aged oxidatively in a solera for an average of 30 years. It's getting close to the character of a Palo Cortado with some hints of apricots, old furniture and varnish. The textbook nose is very expressive and the palate is round and lush, velvety with a finish dominated by nuts and a spirity touch. It's a powerful and full-bodied Oloroso that was never fortified but achieved its 21% alcohol through concentration from old age. 3,000 bottles were filled in April 2017.

Light orangy brown. Smells very different from La Bota 78. Less walnut, more apricot and bitter orange. But it is actually scented, lifted, even in its intensity. Walnut skin and savoury too. Silky and full on the palate with more obvious fruit on the finish. Even though the finish is dry, it tastes like those serious dark marmalades with thick chunks of peel.