Palomino Fino

Bodegas Emilio Lustau was established in 1896 and was initially a small family concern until the founder`s son-in-law placed it on a business footing. The firm is perhaps best known as pioneering the Almacenista system, whereby individual dry Sherries are produced from small private holdings. These are bottled under Lustau`s name but with the individual bodega's name on the label as well. Today they are amongst the most sought-out Sherries in the region.

The famous house of Emilio Lustau has been maturing Fino Sherries in Puerto de Santa María since 1869. This superlative example harnesses their expertise to offer a wine of great pedigree. Aromatics of sea air, yeast and green apples lead to an equally distinguished palate, which is marked by its smoky gravitas and great potential to match a wide variety of tapas dishes.

Sherry is probably the most under-valued fine wine in the world, with levels of complexity and persistence that would command a 10-fold increase in price were they sourced from Bordeaux or Burgundy. When to drink this gem: before dinner with some salted almonds or olives works, as does afterwards, with some walnuts. Oloroso is also surprisingly good with robust meat dishes.

Our Dry Oloroso has a nose suggestive of something sweet, with its notes of walnuts and dried fruit, so the lack of sweetness on the palate is initially something of a shock. As the layers of flavour unfold in your mouth, this is clearly a very different wine from a more commercial, sweetened cream Sherry. In addition to the nuts and raisined-depth, there is a haunting toffee-sweetness on the palate of this dry wine. The finish persists for an age.

Bodegas Emilio Lustau was established in 1896 and was initially a small family concern until the founder`s son-in-law placed it on a business footing. The firm is perhaps best known as pioneering the Almacenista system, whereby individual dry Sherries are produced from small private holdings. These are bottled under Lustau`s name but with the individual bodega's name on the label as well. Today they are amongst the most sought-out Sherries in the region.

This Amontillado, especially blended for us and classically aged in Jerez de la Frontera, expertly captures vestigial freshness from the flor yeast, which has been allowed to die, in return adding colour, texture and complex malty hazelnut flavours to an unnervingly complex ensemble.

Bodegas Emilio Lustau was established in 1896 and was initially a small family concern until the founder`s son-in-law placed it on a business footing. The firm is perhaps best known as pioneering the Almacenista system, whereby individual dry Sherries are produced from small private holdings. These are bottled under Lustau`s name but with the individual bodega's name on the label as well. Today they are amongst the most sought-out Sherries in the region.

Aged for 12 years in the bodegas of Jerez, this is rusty gold in colour. Full-bodied, it has great intensity on the nose due to the long ageing. This wine combines softness and great complexity, giving enormous length on the palate. Rich stews and red meats would be a very good food pairing for this wine. It is also an excellent digestif.

Aged in the town of Puerto de Santa María this Fino could be said to be in between the Manzanilla and Jerez Fino in style, rounder and more intense than Manzanilla, but more subtle than the Jerez Fino. Notes of almonds and yeasty dough are combined with hints of cooked apple and a complex tangy bitterness, almost like struck match. It has a delicious subtle nutty aftertaste.

The Jerez Fino is the richest and roundest of Lustau’s three en rama Sherries. Being aged the furthest inland, in the town of Jerez de la Frontera, it develops the thinnest layer of flor. Delicious, almost Amontillado-like nuttiness is complemented by tangy acidity, subtle minerality and ripe fruit notes of apple and quince. Very long finish.

Stockholder Don Jaun García Jarana runs this 100-year-old bodega as a hobby, his 300 butts including Finos, Amontillados and Olorosos. His main business is as proprietor of a company called Two Wheels, importing Japanese motorcycles. Despite the apparent lack of synergy, or maybe because of it, his Olorosos are widely acclaimed.

Dark in colour with aromas of dried fruits, this is a rich and concentrated wine. An Oloroso (the word means “fragrant” in Spanish) from the oldest solera, this would be equally at home with game or the cheese board. .