In the glass
Aroma: dark dried fruit, roasted coffee, toasted oak, leather, sea salt
Palate: dark chocolate, walnut, rancio, dried fig, mineral
VORS Oloroso of 30-plus years average age from Sanlúcar; intensely concentrated with dark dried-fruit, coffee and rancio depth alongside the characteristic saline note of the appellation.
What it pairs with
-
Roasted venison haunch
The VORS weight and rancio complexity matches the intensity of long-roasted game. -
Gorgonzola Piccante
Assertive blue veining finds an equal in the wine's concentrated savoury depth. -
Dark chocolate truffle
Coffee and chocolate register in both wine and dessert amplify each other.
How to serve Faraón Oloroso
Allow 5 minutes from open to pour.
- Open and pour. Open and pour directly. No decanting required for this style.
- Serve at 8-10°C. Cellar temperature (8-10°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
- Glassware. Use a Sherry copita: the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
- Pair with. Roasted venison haunch, Gorgonzola Piccante, Dark chocolate truffle. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.
History
Faraón (Pharaoh) is Hidalgo's VORS Oloroso, representing the deepest tier of the bodega's oxidative range. The name evokes the ancient, near-mythical status of very old sherry soleras. The 30-plus year average age produces extraordinary concentration while retaining the Sanlúcar saline terroir even in an Oloroso style aged without biological influence.
- 1792 — Foundation Oloroso solera established at Hidalgo
- 2000 — Faraón VORS released commercially under its current label
Facts
- Producer
- Bodegas Hidalgo La Gitana
- Grapes
- Palomino Fino
- Classification
- DO Manzanilla-Sanlúcar de Barrameda
- Oak
- Oxidative ageing in American oak butts; VORS solera (30+ years average)
- ABV
- 20.0%
- Price
- €45-90 at retail
- Drinking window
- 10-30 from bottling
- First vintage
- 1792
Frequently asked about Faraón Oloroso
What does Faraón Oloroso taste like?
On the nose, dark dried fruit, roasted coffee, toasted oak, leather, sea salt. On the palate, dark chocolate, walnut, rancio, dried fig, mineral. Structurally full-bodied, low tannins, medium acidity with a very long, complex and warming finish. VORS Oloroso of 30-plus years average age from Sanlúcar; intensely concentrated with dark dried-fruit, coffee and rancio depth alongside the characteristic saline note of the appellation.
When should I drink Faraón Oloroso?
Drink 10-30 from bottling. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.
What food pairs with Faraón Oloroso?
Roasted venison haunch is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Gorgonzola Piccante and Dark chocolate truffle. The VORS weight and rancio complexity matches the intensity of long-roasted game.
What grapes are in Faraón Oloroso?
The blend is Palomino Fino. The wine is classified as DO Manzanilla-Sanlúcar de Barrameda.