Gonzalez Byass "Apóstoles" Palo Cortado VORS Jerez (375ml)

SKU #1062277 97 points James Suckling

Forget fashion and go for gold! Enormously complex, toasted and caramelized nuts, married to wonderful creaminess that is all lit up by acidity that’s so supernaturally vibrant that you barely realize this has any sweetness. Very long, subtle and uplifting finish. Drink now. (12/2018)

95 points Decanter

Layers of mouthwatering flavours; dried fruits, peanut brittle, cream caramel, coffee, cedar and a beautifully luscious texture with freshness, lift and a long, rich finish. *Gold Medal Decanter World Wine Awards 2018* (4/2018)

93 points Wine Enthusiast

Aromas of burnt orange and baking spices are upright and snappy for a Sherry that's fairly creamy. Fine acidity is what keeps this on an even keel and what gives lift to flavors of caramel, brown sugar and candied walnut. This is full and voluminous on the finish. (MS) (5/2016)

92 points Wine Advocate

The NV Apostoles VORS is a blend of Palomino made into Palo Cortado and 10% Pedro Ximenez, assembled after their first five years of aging after which they completed their 30 years in barrel together. It shows a mahogany color and a predominant note of raisins among the hazelnuts, candied fruit and sweet vanilla. The off-dry palate has intense flavors of dates, dry figs and raisins, with great persistence and length. The blending makes it very approachable and good to combine with cured cheeses. A unique, off-dry Palo Cortado. (LG) (8/2013)

92 points Wine & Spirits

A flagship wine of González Byass, Apóstoles is a blend of 18- to 20-year-old wines, including 13 percent from sweet Pedro Ximénez. That’s a high percentage for a Palo Cortado, but the strength of the Apóstoles base wine is such that it can absorb the intense sweetness, allowing it to add some gentleness to the wine. The salty flavors are wrapped in a layer of hazelnut tones, but the intense minerality is what predominates. (10/2017)

91 points Wine Spectator

This is distinctive, with a light rancio note that fades into the background as date, caramel, green tea, hazelnut oil and flan flavors emerge steadily in the glass. Mixes sweet and dry elements seamlessly on the finish. Drink now. (JM, Web Only-2019) (12/2017)

K&L Notes

VORS means "Very Old and Rare Sherry." The solera from which the sherry is sourced must be an average age of 30 years, and only the very best older soleras are able to put the VORS label on their wine. Gonzales Byass is one of the dwindling number of shippers with soleras of this age and quality. To be more precise, this solera of Palo Cortado (the rarest style of sherry in production) began in 1862, in honor of a vineyard visit by Queen Isabel II. That is an old solera! A bit of Pedro Ximenez is blended in here which adds some sweetness to this very old Palo Cortado. It's a singular bottling from one of the best-known shippers in Jerez.