The “Marginal” is a special bottling by the guys at La Tintoreria of a small quantity of a different wine each year, distributed to a few very select restaurants. I was able to try this one thanks to Lakasa, who have it on their top class wine list by the glass even. As yet I don’t know much about it (except how it looks, smells and tastes) although there was talk of it being a non-fortified, old school palo cortado with some old school varietals.

As you can see it looks great, crystal clear and a slightly chestnut amber colour. The nose has a very nice sweetness – ginger and amaretti, a little bit of sawdust.  Then on the palate it is very pleasant, has a nice bite and while dry has gingery/sweet-spice flavours, a bit of bitter almond, but not excessively bitter or astringent – a nice balance and a long, sweet-spice finish. (I would swear, in fact, that it has some sugar, residual or otherwise, but I might be wrong.)

Very nice little bottle – worth trying if you get the chance.