Gonzalez Byass, Viña AB Amontillado NV

The youngest and lightest style of Amontillado produced by Gonzalez Byass.

Amontillado is a transitional style of sherry where the wine is first aged under flor before spending time in contact with oxygen.
The AB refers to Andrés Botaina, the original owner of the vineyard that supplies the grapes for this wine.
The nose is similar to that of a Fino with some yeasty and salty notes over delicate, rounder caramel, dried apricot, hazelnuts and almonds.
The palate is dry but not austere with medium acidity and standout flavours of orange peel and almonds.
This sherry is an excellent match for salty nuts, various tapas and seafood.

Grape variety: Palomino Fino
Vintage: NV
Type/Colour: Amontillado
Alcohol: 16.5%
Bottle Size: 75cl
Group: Sherry

The seed that grew into Gonzalez Byass was planted in 1835 by Manuel MarÃa Gonzalez Angel, with Robert Blake Byass - his agent in England - only joining the firm two decades later. The two families remained in partnership through much of the 20th Century and the business has grown to be one of Sherry's most recognisable and important names. In 1988 the Gonzalez family bought out the Blass family, taking sole control of the business. The business is based in some fine buildings in Jerez, including one designed by Eiffel. This is a must-see for any Sherry tourist, as is popping inside to see El Cristo (a Sherry butt holding in excess of 157000 litres), which was purchased for the visit of Queen Isabella II in 1862. This gigantic butt is accompanied by twelve 6000 litre butts, representing the twelve apostles, which surround El Cristo, except for Judas, which is used to store vinegar! Today, the company's cellars hold over 45 million litres of Sherry and Brandy de Jerez.