Patricia
Sherry (Spain)

The Estate
 The company Aragón y Cía. was founded in 1946, but the winery itself has been in operation since at least 1877. A prize awarded at the Córdoba wine exhibition of that year documents that the winery was producing wine at that date, and it's more than likely that the installations were in operation well before 1877. Situated in Lucena in the province of Córdoba, the Aragón cellars hold some 2,500 "botas" (500 liter oak barrels) using the "solera" system to convert fresh white wine from Pedro Ximénez grapes into the typical "finos", "amontillados" and "olorosos" of Montilla-Moriles.

The Vineyards
 As is the case with most Montilla-Moriles producers, Aragón is an ageing cellar and does not own vineyards. The vineyards of the region are mainly Pedro Ximénez (PX) grapes (over 80%). The region's dry hot climate allows the naturally high sugar PX grapes to attain up to 17º alcohol potential. This means the wines produced here do not generally require the addition of alcohol (fortification), which is necessary for sherries. Aragón's expert tasters carefully select fresh, recently fermented PX wines, which are then transferred to the cellars for long periods of "solera" ageing.
Montilla-Moriles in the province of Cordoba, in Andalucía. The D.O spreads over 10,200 hectares (25,194 acres) of vines planted on limestone soils, at 300-600 meters above seal level.
Kysela Pere et Fils, LTD imports three styles of their Patricia sherry: Fino, Amontillado and Cream (the Cream is more like a P.X. Reserve).
The Wines


shelf talker

#S8EE101071PXL
UPC code: 7 84585 00196 5
N.V. Patricia, Aragon, Fino 6/750ml
Aged under a protective veil of yeast ("flor" which is said to protect the wine from oxidation, leaving it pale, delicate and crisp) for an average of 4 years, Patricia Fino has a clean pale straw color with a slight tint of green. On the nose it's clean and fresh showing aromas of "flor" ageing and a nice nutty, saline character. On the palate it's light, crisp and dry with a pleasant bitterish finish with hints of coffee and licorice. This wine is served chilled as an aperitif, often accompanied by tapas and shellfish.


 "A Fino made of Pedro Ximenez. Medium gold with touch of amber. Tangy, rich nose with olive oil notes. Full and rich on layered palate of dried fruit, baked apple. Full, fine finish."
- International Wine Review (Nov 2008), 90 pts

"This wine hails from Spain's Montilla region, next to Jerez, the traditional sherry area. It is fruitier than finos from Jerez, with bright, fresh flavors and excellent balance."
- Washington Post (Jan. 09)
VERY GOOD
National Retail Price: $19.99 / bottle


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#S8EE101061PXL
UPC code: 7 84585 00197 2
N.V. Patricia, Aragon, Amontillado 6/750ml
Named after the town of Montilla, aged up to 20 years, first as a "fino" under "flor" then followed by a long stretch of normal (oxidative) barrel ageing in Aragón's "soleras", Particia Amontillado has a bright coppery amber color. On the nose, it shows the classic characteristics of the two-stage amontillado process: dried fruits and nuts, toasty caramel and orange peel. On the palate it's dry with toasty and dried fruit flavors.

 "Pale medium orange amber. Nose of orange marmalade and carmelized pecans, and cognac notes. Very complex flavors of dried fruit, tobacco, orange zest, and vanilla. A first rate Amontillado."
- International Wine Review (Nov 2008), 93 pts

 National Retail Price: $19.99 / bottle


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#S8EE101081PXL
UPC code: 7 84585 00198 9
N.V. Patricia, Aragon, Cream 6/750ml
Aged up to 8 years, Patricia Crean shows a rich, dark mahogany color with an iodine-like tint. A sweeter wine made by adding a small amount of sweet PX wine to a dry "oloroso" base, the nose shows dried fruits (raisins, prunes, figs) along with toffee and toasty honey-like components. On the palate, it's rich, thick and smooth with a taste of raisins, toffee and candied orange peel.
An ideal companion to desserts, it is meant to be served slightly chilled or on the rocks.

 "A blend of Oloroso and PX. Medium amber in color with fruity aromas of orange marmalade, and crème brulee. Soft, sweet mouth feel. Nice blend of citrus, caramel and ripe figs."
 - International Wine Review (Nov 2008), 88 pts

National Retail Price: $19.99 / bottle





N.V. Patricia, Aragon, Pedro Ximenez 12/750ml
Made from Pedro Ximenez grapes and aged for 10-15 years in American oak.
Deep and intense mahogany color. Complex and concentrated aromas of ripe, sweet raisin and date. Sweet and round in the mouth with flavors of liquorice and notes of coffee and chocolate.

"Medium mahogany. A lighter style PX with aromas of tobacco and orange marmalade. Rich and nicely balanced palate with flavors of golden raisins and butterscotch. Finishes very, very long."
- International Wine Review (Nov 2008), 92 pts

National Retail Price: $39.95 / bottle