2011 Licoroso Czar Private Reserve Fortificado

Description

Golden brown in color, this wine boasts remarkable aromatic complexity and a pronounced palate volume, thanks to the natural sugars it contains, and finishes with a persistent aftertaste. The vineyards that produce CZAR are centuries old and are located in the Lajidos area of Pico Island. Because it is made entirely naturally—without the addition of any alcohol, sugar, or yeast—the composition of the wine varies with the grapes’ level of ripeness and the yeasts’ resilience to each year’s uncertain climatic conditions. As a result, it can appear dry, semi‑dry, or semi‑sweet. In some years the wine simply does not reach the quality required to be called CZAR. After the Russian Revolution of 1917, a liqueur wine from Pico Island was discovered in the palace cellar of the last czar, Nicholas II. This wine was shipped in barrels from Pico Island by boats sent deliberately by the czars for their royal banquets. It even appeared in medical prescriptions as a remedy for certain ailments, and Tolstoy references it in his writings. Thus, the most fitting name for this wine was chosen: CZAR. (Illustrative image only)