I had it for the first time today. It won’t be the last. History in a glass: Commandaria - Wikipedia
Yup, Michael…have had it 5-6 times. Not very common to find at retail. Very good stuff
at a fair price. A bit like a Malmsey Madeira. More people should be familiar with this wine.
Tom
Tom, in reading about it, I saw no mention of a solera. Is it your understanding that it is not used?
I´m not sure if all wines are solera, but I´ve seen bottles with “1927” - “1937” - 1947" on it - and these are definitely not vintage, but solera …
I wasn’t sure if you could get it in the US!
I would like to try one (and a South African Constantia) before I pass from this world.
My college used to serve it as communion wine!
Chypre Etko (Jorge Ordonez) Commandaria St-Nicholas 2017 : 17/20 – 6/1/2022
Green reflections, like for a Madère. Superb rancio (fig, dried date, baklava). Yummy balance, good acidity, average alcohol (15°).
Mavro (red) et xynisteri (whites grapes), with dessication (then a light fortification). The impression to taste a VDN Roussillon, something like a mix of tuilé (red) and ambré (white).
I also formerly liked the cuvée Centurion.
Been drinking it all my adult life, too many bottles to count. Usually a solera but ETKO have released vintage versions in the last 12 or so years. My favourite to date are the older bottlings of ETKO Centurion.
Quality!
When my parents moved out of their house a couple years ago I found a bottle of late 40s Commandaria that must have been my grandfather’s. It hadn’t really been stored properly so I wasn’t expecting much. Took it to a tasting at my off site as a lark but everyone was stunned at the rich flavors and deep character. Not something I could drink a ton of but it was quite pleasing. Haven’t had any since them but would happily drink more if I come across it.
I bought 3 bottles in 1990 on Cyprus - marked 1927 (Solera).
The 3rd one is now open for almost a year, and still tasting fine … immortal wine! Not great but very good …