Bodegas Málaga Virgen Fino Lagar de Benavides

We first encountered this fino when we visited Bodegas Málaga Virgen in the neighbouring Málaga D.O. to Montilla-Moriles in May 2016. Our review of our visit can be found here.

They are also registered with Montilla Moriles D.O. as they produce and age wines in a solera brought from Montilla in the 1950’s and also sources and produces wines from Aguilar de La Frontera in the Montilla-Moriles D.O., Lagar de Benavides.

We were fortunate to bring back a couple of bottles in September last year when we saw them available for sale at Málaga airport.

This wine is 15% ABV from 100% Pedro Ximénez grapes from the Moriles Alto region of Montill-Moriles and has spent 8 years under a velo de flor. Note that this bottle has also seen 6 months of bottle ageing

Nose – We find ripe honeydew melon, a hint of salt, freshly cut potatoes with yeast and red berries in the background.

Palate – Starts with a hit of lime, unripe banana and salinity with a nutty finish of walnuts.

Another great example of a Montilla-Moriles fino well worth seeking out. If you pass through Málaga airport pick it up as sadly it is not available outside Spain to our knowledge.