The flavors come from many different points in the journey: the grapes, the cooking process, the wooden barrels, and even the culture in the each barrel, which slowly converts the fruit sugars into vinegar. This balsamic is dark, as thick as maple syrup, and exhibits flavors of dates, plums, smoke, and wood, with a touch of acidity to create a complexity that lingers on the palate.
The process of aging Aceto Balsamico is much more complex than that of wine, and is accomplished in a series of wooden barrels is called a batteria, which decrease in size from 75 to 10 liters. Each year, about 20% of the product evaporates from each barrel, making the product increasingly dense. Once a year, the most-aged product is removed from the smallest barrel for bottling. This barrel is then topped off with balsamic from the second-smallest barrel, the second-smallest is filled with balsamic from the third, etc. In this way, the balsamic spends one year in each barrel, and mixes with the balsamic that lingers from the year before, developing complexity.
This Aceto Balsamico is aged 6 years. By using a 6 year process we are able to offer a Balsamic at a reasonable price, while still retaining the classic qualities of a true Aceto Balsamico without the excessive woodiness of a 12- or 24-year old production.
This strictly controlled designation is reserved for the highest quality Balsamico that have aged for at least 12 years, and have gone through a lengthy certification process. Our Balsamico is part of this production, but removed at 6 years. It has the same grapes, same barrels, and same Master Acetoio monitoring the production.
This Balsamic vinegar is perfect to drizzle on any number of things, on the sweet side and so tasty. It is expensive at $40 per 100 ml which makes it a big splurge for my budget and limits how often I will order.
We love this balsamic vinegar so much. It pairs well with many dishes that I prepare. Our most favorite is on Caprese salad - we are fortunate to have amazing beefsteak tomatoes but with a drizzle of La Resdora...there are not enough adjectives to describe the luscious notes of this vinegar. I've drizzled over grilled corn on the cob - no butter - and it brings it to another level.
Love the undertone of sweetness (not cloying) and depth of flavor without a heavy mouth feel. This is the gourmet kind of balsamic you use sparingly so don't let the size of the bottle deceive you. A little bit goes a long way. It has a surprisingly clean taste which is how I would seldom describe balsamic. Rich but not too rich. Smart but fun. Fruity yet dark and mysterious. I used a drizzle to finish my sauteed mushrooms and it took them to another level. Use as you would for all things balsamic. Delicious!
I love this balsamic vinegar. I won't be buying another one
This is the best balsamic vinegar! It's amazing, and well worth the price!