"Apostoles" Medium Cream VORS - González Byass

An Impressive Sherry With Perfect Balance

In the glass, this sherry displays a warm amber hue and releases an elegant bouquet with concentrated aromas of nuts and dried fruits, particularly dates and figs. The Pedro Ximenez grapes add hints of raisins and licorice. On the palate, the Apostoles is soft, intense, and complex, with fine notes of caramel and precious woods reflecting its long barrel aging. The elegant hints of raisins are a nod to the Pedro Ximenez grapes. This sherry is impressive with its perfect balance of acidity and sweetness, along with a long, satisfying finish.

• Blend of best soleras of Palo Cortado (Palomino) and Pedro Ximenez. 
• VORS (Very Old Rare Sherry)

Food Pairing: We recommend you taste it with patés, charcuterie or blue cheese.

STORY BEHIND THE WINE

Apostoles is one of the VORS sherries from González Byass. It used to say Palo Cortado Muy Viejo on the label, but with the latest list of official categories, it now says Medium on the back label. 

All grapes are sourced from the pagos Carrascal and Macharnudo. Both the Palo Cortado and Pedro Ximénez wines age separately for about 12 years (essentially the Palo Cortado Leonor is at its base). At this stage they are blended and enter the Apostoles solera for another 18 years or more. 

The solera was created in 1862 in honour of a visit by Queen Isabel II (which also induced the construction of the bodega La Concha, designed by Gustav Eifel). There is a story that says Isabel II wanted to see the traditional pressing of the grapes by foot. However at the time of her visit, the harvest had long passed and founder Manuel María González had to improvise. He bought (rejected) grapes that farmers used to adorn their homes with. The resulting wine was stored in 13 botas, one for each apostle (except Judas, which is used for a butt of vinegar) and one big butt (that sounds strange in this context) dedicated to the Queen. You can still see these casks when visiting the bodegas.