Intense sherry – be warned!

This cask has bestowed intense sherry character: be warned! The nose had the nutty sweetness of dried dates, maple syrup, halva, almond biscotti and Spanish polvorónes, plus black cherry compote and raspberry jam. The palate hinted at jamón serrano but again had that rich, sweet depth – fig jam and prunes, molasses cake, hard caramel, brown sugar and dried apricots – before finishing with leather, nutmeg and sherry spilled on oak. The reduced nose delivered date syrup, sugared almonds, pastel de nata, coffee and some bodega funk. More approachable with water, the palate now tasted of chocolate éclairs with hot cocoa, berry shisha tobacco and pine cones.