# Palo Cortado El Aljibe V.O.R.S. (NV)

- **Producer:** Bodegas Poniente
- **Colour:** white
- **Type:** fortified
- **Grapes:** Palomino Fino
- **Region:** Andalucía, Spain
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 21.5%
- **Average price:** €135
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 12–14 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** orange, lemon, grapefruit, biscuit, toast, walnut, hazelnut, dried fig, prune, caramel, toffee, leather, tobacco

## About this wine

Bodegas Poniente is a project by Alberto Orte, dedicated to reviving the traditional, terroir-driven styles of Jerez. Located in Jerez de la Frontera, the estate focuses on old-school winemaking. El Aljibe is a Palo Cortado V.O.R.S. (Very Old Rare Sherry), representing a selection of casks that average over 30 years of age. The name 'El Aljibe' refers to the historic water cisterns of the region, symbolizing the deep connection to the land and history of Marco de Jerez.

## Interesting facts

- V.O.R.S. status guarantees that the average age of the wine in this solera is at least 30 years.
- Palo Cortado is a rare, enigmatic style of Sherry that starts aging under flor but naturally loses its yeast cover to age oxidatively.
- Bodegas Poniente is led by Alberto Orte, a renowned winemaker dedicated to restoring historical Jerez clones and traditional methods.

## Food pairing

The intense complexity, high alcohol, and dry, nutty profile of Palo Cortado require rich, savory, and umami-forward dishes. It pairs beautifully with game, cured meats, and aged cheeses, cutting through fat while matching the deep, oxidative flavors of the wine.

## Wine making process

Crafted from 100% Palomino Fino grapes grown in the albariza soils of Jerez. The wine undergoes initial biological aging under flor before transitioning to oxidative aging. It is aged in a traditional solera system with an average age exceeding 30 years (V.O.R.S.). The wine is bottled with minimal filtration to preserve its complex structure and intense character.