La Gitana Palo Cortado Wellington VOS / Hidalgo: Complex and Rewarding
Fortified 18% ABV ABV Hidalgo
27 February 2026
Good with cheese
We opened this after dinner with a cheese board and it was a great match. The dried fruit and nutty flavours work really well with strong cheddar. It's complex for sure but I wouldn't say it blew me away. Decent for what it is.
18 February 2026
Really interesting stuff
Picked this up after the guy at my local wine shop recommended it. The walnut and fig thing on the nose is bang on — smells like Christmas cake. Bit of a slow burner but the finish is lovely and warming. Not cheap but I'd buy it again for a special occasion.
7 February 2026
Not really my thing
Got this as a birthday present and I appreciate the thought but sherry-style wines aren't really for me. It's very nutty and caramelly which I know some people love. At forty quid I think I'd rather have a nice red honestly.
30 January 2026
Absolute gem for a dinner party
Brought this out at a dinner party as a conversation starter and it did not disappoint. Everyone was asking about it. The orange peel and spice notes really come through as it opens up. At 18% it packs a punch too so you don't need much!
4 January 2026
Bit pricey for what it is
Forty quid is a lot for sherry in my opinion. It's nice enough — nutty, dried apricot, all that — but I've had Palo Cortados at half the price that I enjoyed just as much. The finish is long though, I'll give it that.
2 January 2026
Surprised how much I liked this
I'm not usually a fortified wine person but this Hidalgo Palo Cortado is properly good. There's a lovely burnt caramel sweetness but it doesn't feel heavy because there's this sharp acidity cutting through. Would definitely order again if I saw it on a menu.
14 December 2025
Perfect winter sipper
This is the kind of thing I want in a glass by the fire on a cold evening. Really warming with all those dried fig and spice notes. Poured it for my dad who knows nothing about wine and even he said it was lovely. Goes down dangerously easy for 18%.
10 October 2025
Solid but I expected more
Had this recommended on a wine forum and it's solid. Lots of almond and caramel on the palate, nice long finish. I just expected something a bit more special given the hype. The Palomino Fino grape does its job though.