Cardenal Mendoza Solera Gran Reserva
Brandy: Brandy de Jerez
From: Jerez
House: Sanchez Romate
Style: Single distillery
Colour: Dark amber, hints of red
ABV: 42%
N: Raisins, red grapes, walnuts, candied oranges, orange blossom honey, dark chocolate, hints of iron filings.
M: Heavy body, syrupy, cool, mouth coating.
T: Sweet. Walnuts, walnut skins, raisins, rum and raisin ice cream, dark chocolate, orange blossom honey, hints of lemon curd.
F: Long. Red grapes, walnut skins, iron filings, candied oranges, fresh baked bread.
Comments:
Well, this is a lot like its sibling, the Carta Real. I believe that one is older, yet I felt this, the Solera Gran Reserva, had many more layers, despite it being relatively less intense. There were at least three distinct layers, or flavour groups. The first, and most obvious, was the intense sweetness, almost reminiscent of Pedro Ximenez sherry. This first layer had overtones of red grapes, raisins and orange honey. Then, there was a bitter, slightly metallic layer underneath that, mostly dark chocolate and walnuts. And last of all, something citrusy and light, which lifted the brandy for me.
Is it possible to find too many flavour notes in your spirit? Perhaps. If so, this one may be the example that proves the rule. Taking a step back and looking at my tasting notes, I am baffled as to how many flavour notes I managed to find. Normally, it's no more than 4 to 5 per category, but here I am pushing 6 or 7. Yet I distinctly remember tasting them. This brandy is certainly unusual in its complexity, and I really enjoyed drinking it.
Verdict:
Magnificent.
