Toro Albalá
Poley Oloroso en Rama Solera 15 Year
Region: Spain - Andulucia
Toro Albalá
Founded in 1844, this prestigious family estate is located in Aguilar de la Frontera in the P.O.D Montilla-Moriles zone. Antonio Sánchez, the third generation of the family, owns the estate today.
One of the largest Andalusian viticulture zones, the region is known for the production of Fino and the cultivation of Pedro Ximénez grape. There is a considerable presence of albariza soils.
In 1922, José María Toro Albalá moved to the current location in Aguilar’s old power station, introducing updated technologies and establishing Toro Albalá as a leader in Montilla. Toro Albalá became the first Montilla producer to bottle Dessert Pedro Ximénez in 1970, a product historically sold in bulk to producers and shippers in D.O. Jerez-Xérès-Sherry for aging and blending.
Toro Albalá is recognized as one of the greatest producers of Vintage Don PX, the wines spend at least 20 years in barrel before release.
The Wine
Vineyard Profile
Estate vineyards in D.O.P. Montilla-Moriles.
- Soils: Chalky white Albariza
- Climate: Hot, dry summers
Harvest Notes
- Hand harvested in August
- Pressed and finest musts selected
- Not fortified
- Oxidatively aged in American oak barrels for a minimum of 15 years through the criadera and solera system
Winemaker's Notes
Mahogany with old gold borders and slow legs. Deep aromas of seasoned oak, toffee, smoke, vanilla and caramelized nuts with ripe fruit undercurrents. Smooth, dry and well balanced from its long stay in the criaderas. An elegant bitterness adds to the complex, persistent finish.
Wine Summary
100% Pedro Ximénez; alcohol: 17.5%; estate vineyards in D.O.P. Montilla-Moriles; vines planted in chalky white Albariza soils; hand harvested in August; selected musts not fortified; oxidatively aged at least 15 years in American oak barrels through criadera and solera system.
Technical Information
- 100% Pedro Ximénez
- Alcohol: 17.5%
Reviews
90 Points
Names have changed and all labels are new; they are all named Poley and have a reference to the number of average years the wines have spent in the solera, like the NV Poley Oloroso en Rama Solera 15 Años, which is an Oloroso with 18% alcohol and 15 years of average age. It’s young, faintly oxidative with a lightish palate and soft flavors. A small Oloroso. All Poley wines now come in 500-milliliter bottles. There’s no clear indication of saca or bottling date. 2022 – 2025
© Wine Advocate, September, 2022
92 Points
This shows aromas of dried dates, candied oranges and hints of toffee. It’s not terribly concentrated for an oloroso, but it’s delicious and zesty with a dry apricot finish. A pleasant and uncomplicated oloroso. Drink now. Glass stopper.
jamessuckling.com, August, 2024
91 Points
The April 2024 bottling of the NV Poley Oloroso en Rama Solera 15 Años, which now has the bottling date printed on the back label, displays a bright amber color and a shy nose with subtle aromas of nuts and peach. It has only 17.5% alcohol and was fortified 1% or so, the rest is natural and from concentration. It has a velvety and warm palate, gentle and dry, with some lightness. 2024 – 2028
Toro Albalá is a specialist in old, sweet PX in Montilla-Moriles, but it also has a complete range of other styles.
© Wine Advocate, October, 2024
General Info
| COUNTRY | SPAIN |
| REGION | ANDULUCIA |
| APPELLATION | D.O. Montilla-Moriles |
| PROPRIETORS | Antonio Sanchez Romero |
| FOUNDED | 1844 |
| WINEMAKER | Francisco Capote |
| ANNUAL PRODUCTION | 8,333 9L cases sweet wine; 16,666 9L cases dry wine |
| FARMING (SUSTAINABLE, ORGANIC, BIODYNAMIC) | No chemicals are used, all vineyards are dry farmed. |