Larios S.A. Malaga Superior 'Real Old Malaga' Lacrimae Christus 1949

This report looks at the historical context, origin and available information on a particularly rare wine rarity: the "Larios S.A. Malaga Superior 'Echter Alter Malaga' Lacrimae Christus 1949". Researching this specific wine is extremely difficult due to its age and rarity. The following explanations are therefore made up of several parts: the categorisation of the Larios house, the definition of the wine type 'Lacrimae Christi', an examination of the 1949 vintage and an evaluation of this overall constellation in its historical context.

1. Introduction: A bottle full of history

This bottle is more than just a drink - it is a rare artefact of Spanish wine history. The name "Larios S.A. Malaga Superior 'Echter Alter Malaga' Lacrimae Christus 1949" combines three central elements: the prestigious trading house Larios, the highest quality level "Superior" and the traditional wine type "Lacrimae Christi". The explicit reference to "Genuine Old Malaga" (a term used in German to describe genuine, mature Malaga wine) emphasises the authenticity, great age and age-worthiness of the wine.

2. The House of Larios: a family saga in wine and spirits

The history of the House of Larios is inextricably linked to the economic development of Malaga in the 19th and 20th centuries. Its beginnings date back to 1784, when the family was initially active in the sugar and distilling industry. However, the real era of viticulture began with the takeover of an existing wine company. The original winery was Jiménez y Lamothe, which already had production facilities in Málaga and Manzanares (Castile) and initially produced wines and later also distillates.

The decisive year was 1917, when Larios y Cía. took over the Jiménez y Lamothe company and retained the distinctive eagle emblem ("Bodega del Águila") as its trademark. In 1933, the company was officially renamed Larios, S.A., and it was at this time that the winery added the production of gin to its range.The winery itself does not have its own vineyards, but buys its grapes from selected, long-standing suppliers from various areas of the protected designation of origin (D.O.) Málaga.The winery has an impressive 2000 oak barrels for ageing. Around half of the annual production of around 500,000 litres is exported.

In 1998, the Larios brand was finally taken overby the French spirits group Pernod Ricard, which also has its origins in the wine trade. This transition marked the end of the era of the independent family winery and the transition to the modern corporate world.

3. The wine: Malaga Superior Lacrimae Christi

The term "Lacrimae Christi" (Latin for "Tears of Christ") is one of the most prestigious and oldest designations within the Malaga Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) and defines a very special type of fortified wine.

• Production: The key lies in the term "Lágrima". This refers to the must that flows from the grapes after crushing without any mechanical pressing - i.e. by gravity alone. It is the purest and most concentrated juice.

• Maturation: If this exclusive "Lágrima" must then undergoes a maturation process of at least two years, it can be labelled "Lacrimae Christi". In practice, especially for a wine from 1949, this ageing period is often significantly longer.

• Grape varieties: Traditionally, the wine is made from the Pedro Ximénez and Moscatel de Alejandría grape varieties.

• Style: The designation "Superior" indicates a particularly high-quality selection. These wines are extremely sweet, high in alcohol and complex. They are usually matured using the solera system,in which young wines are blended with older and older wines to ensure consistent quality and a profound flavour profile.

4. The historical context of the 1949 vintage

The "1949" bottle label is a very special feature that allows for two possible interpretations:

1. Vintage wine: it could be the bottling of a specific vintage, which is extremely rare for a solera wine, which is normally traded as a vintage-free blend.

2. Bottling or solera founding year: It is more likely that this is the founding date of a soleraor the year of a specific bottling. Especially in the period after the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) and the Second World War, the resumption of viticulture and the creation of new soleras was a significant event.

The 1949 vintage coincided with a period of reconstruction and economic consolidation in Spain under the Franco regime. For the House of Larios, this was the heyday of an independent family business, as the sale to Pernod Ricard would not take place until 1998.

5. Sensory experience of a historic Malaga (projected)

As the wine is around 75 years old, it is possible to make educated guesses about its condition and flavour profile.

• Colour: Most likely a very dark, deep mahogany or café noir to almost black with amber reflections. A clear, brown rim colour (iodine or olive tone) is typical for such an old wine.

• Nose: The bouquet will reveal enormous complexity and depth. Expect intense notes of dried fruit (figs, dates, sultanas), candied orange, honey, caramel and toffee. There are also spicy hints of cinnamon, vanilla, coffee and tobacco. A hint of rancio (an oxidative, nutty sherry note) as well as iodine and salt water are further characteristic features of old Malaga wines.

• Palate: On the palate, the wine will be extremely dense, syrupy and unctuous, with a considerable residual sweetness, but perfectly balanced by a fine, supportive acidity. The evening is very long and lingers for minutes in a mixture of sweet and savoury notes.

6. Rarity and market assessment

Bottles of this age and specification are extremely rare on the market. There are no direct comparative prices. The bottle pictured above was auctioned on Catawiki for €58 - an extremely moderate price for such a historic rarity.

In comparison, the prices of other old Larios wines can serve as a reference:

• An auction of Larios Solera 1857 offered a guide price of CHF 675.

• A Larios Malaga from the 19th century achieved prices of around €300-600 on Catawiki.

The prices for old Malaga wines are often surprisingly low in international comparison, which makes them insider tips for collectors. Nevertheless, each bottle is unique due to its age and unknown storage condition.

7. Drinking recommendation: savour a relic with respect

A wine of this age is extremely delicate and requires careful handling:

• Opening: open carefully, as the cork can be extremely fragile. A high-quality "Ah-So" corkscrew (also known as a Butler's Friend) is recommended.

• Decanting: Because of the massive sediment, the wine should be decanted very carefully into a carafe . It should then be allowed to breathe for 1-2 hours to develop its full flavour.

• Serving temperature: Serveat 14-16 degrees Celsius from a small port or dessert wine glass.

• Accompaniment: The intense sweetness harmonises perfectly with strong blue cheeses (such as Cabrales or Gorgonzola), foie gras, chocolate or caramel desserts or simply on its own as a digestif.

8. Conclusion

The "Larios S.A. Malaga Superior 'Echter Alter Malaga' Lacrimae Christus 1949" is an exceptional relic from the heyday of one of Spain's most traditional wine houses. It combines the prestige of the Larios house with the exclusivity of a 'Lacrimae Christi' wine from the middle of the 20th century. Owning such a bottle is less an everyday pleasure than owning a living piece of wine history.

Important tips for handling old wines

1. Storage: Professional storage in the dark at a constant temperature (approx. 12°C) and humidity of 70% is ideal. If not available, store the bottle horizontally in a cool, dark and odourless place.

2. Check before opening: Check the fill level. A low fill level (e.g. wine at the level of the upper third of the neck) indicates a high "ullage" problem, i.e. more wine than usual has evaporated over the years. This considerably reduces the quality.

3. Corkscrew: An "Ah-So" (Butler's Friend) is essential. This corkscrew does not damage the old cork as it does not pierce it, but guides it past the outside of the cork with two metal tongues and thus pulls it out.

4. Sediment: The contents of a bottle of wine of this age will contain plenty of sediment (tartar and colouring). Place the bottle upright a few days before opening so that the sediment settles to the bottom. Then pour the wine slowly and carefully over a fine filter bag (e.g. a coffee filter) or a candle as a light source.