In the glass
Aroma: orange bitters, hazelnut praline, mahogany wood, dried herbs
Palate: walnut oil, bitter orange peel, dry spice, old resin
VOS Palo Cortado from Williams & Humbert, minimum 20 years average age. Orange bitters and hazelnuts on the nose; full-bodied bitter orange and walnut oil on the palate.
What it pairs with
-
Duck breast with cherry sauce
The wine's orange-bitters and full body provide elegant contrast to duck with sweet-tart fruit. -
Toasted walnuts and hazelnuts
Nut notes in the wine are amplified by roasted mixed nuts. -
Aged Manchego
The dry structure and nutty depth of Palo Cortado hold up to aged sheep's cheese.
How to serve Dos Cortados Palo Cortado VOS
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. Duck breast with cherry sauce, Toasted walnuts and hazelnuts, Aged Manchego. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.
History
Dos Cortados ('two cut ones') takes its name from the tradition of marking Palo Cortado barrels with two diagonal lines (palos cortados) on the head to indicate their special character. Williams & Humbert maintains this rare style as a VOS wine from a solera of over 20 years average age.
- 1945 — Dos Cortados Palo Cortado solera established at Williams & Humbert
- 2000 — VOS certification conferred by the Consejo Regulador
Facts
- Producer
- Williams & Humbert
- Grapes
- Palomino Fino
- Classification
- DO Jerez-Xérès-Sherry
- Oak
- American oak butts; VOS certified minimum 20 years average age; arose from Fino solera barrels whose flor died
- ABV
- 20.0%
- Price
- €40-65 at retail
- Drinking window
- 0-15 from bottling
- First vintage
- 1945
Frequently asked about Dos Cortados Palo Cortado VOS
What does Dos Cortados Palo Cortado VOS taste like?
On the nose, orange bitters, hazelnut praline, mahogany wood, dried herbs. On the palate, walnut oil, bitter orange peel, dry spice, old resin. Structurally full-bodied, low tannins, medium acidity with a long and bittersweet with orange complexity finish. VOS Palo Cortado from Williams & Humbert, minimum 20 years average age. Orange bitters and hazelnuts on the nose; full-bodied bitter orange and walnut oil on the palate.
When should I drink Dos Cortados Palo Cortado VOS?
Drink 0-15 from bottling. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.
What food pairs with Dos Cortados Palo Cortado VOS?
Duck breast with cherry sauce is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Toasted walnuts and hazelnuts and Aged Manchego. The wine's orange-bitters and full body provide elegant contrast to duck with sweet-tart fruit.
What grapes are in Dos Cortados Palo Cortado VOS?
The blend is Palomino Fino. The wine is classified as DO Jerez-Xérès-Sherry.