Alvear "Carlos VII" Amontillado Montilla-Moriles (375ml)
SKU #1384843
93 points
Jeb Dunnuck
The NV Alvear Amontillado Carlos VII is a beauty, with more elegance and purity than the Criadera A release. Caramelized citrus, honey, salted peanuts, hints of blue cheese, and tons of spice notes all flow to a powerful yet elegant sherry that has bright acidity and a beautiful finish. This release can be thought of as a very old Fino where the flor has died and sunk to the bottom of the barrel, exposing the wine to oxygen and oxidation, which concentrates the wine (and raises the alcohol).
(9/2019)
93 points
Wine Advocate
The NV Amontillado Carlos VII has a medium/dark color, notes of toffee, roasted nuts and coffee, but finishes dry with great acidity and penetrating almond-paste-like flavors. This is pretty impressive and the Solera that is the base of this cuvée is at least 15 years of age. (RP)
(11/2015)
92 points
James Suckling
A pure pedro ximenez that has been finished beautifully with a swathe of grilled nuts and mahogany wood. The dry, walnut-flavored palate offers a dry finish with some fullness. Dried-mushroom flavors linger at the finish.
(7/2019)
90 points
Wine Enthusiast
An initial blast of butter and sweaty cheese settles with airing, but this amontillado remains aggressive and demanding up front. In the mouth, this is correct in feel and balance. Saline-rich flavors of walnut, peanut and mushroom finish steady. (MS)
(4/2017)
90 points
Wine Spectator
Fresh and slightly high-pitched, with light juniper and green tea accents out front, followed by hazelnut husk and singed orange peel notes. Refined acidity lets this stretch out. (JM)
(12/2016)
K&L Notes
A famous producer in the D.O. of Montilla-Moriles (home of the original Amontillado, outside Cordoba), Alvear's Carlos VII is a terrific bottling. Aromas and flavors in this bottling run the gamut from salt, to tarragon, orange candies, hazelnuts, and more. A fantastic, expressive, dry Amontillado from Montilla! More recently in Wine Advocate, 92 points Luis Gutiérrez: "The 2019 bottling of the NV Amontillado Carlos VII is believed to be around 25 years of age and combines 12 years of biological aging under flor (Fino) with oxidative upbringing in topped-up barrels for another 12 years, but there's no indication of age (or bottling date) anywhere on the front or back label. It's a bit spirity (it's 19% alcohol), with a bitter twist in the finish, ample and long, lifted by the alcohol." (6/2019)
