Bodegas Lustau, East India Solera, Jerez, Spain
Critics reviews
Wonderfully oddball rancio character, with toasted almond, fig, and a spray of citrus peel. Loads of flavour concentration, loads of sweet complexity on the length. Combines the mushroom, umami complexity that so often features in great mature wine with vigour and refreshment thanks to the sweet and tangy finish.
Drink anytime
Richard Hemming MW, JancisRobinson.com (August 2021)
The dark amber-hued non-vintage East India Solera is essentially an old Oloroso blended with an old Pedro Ximenez, which gives it a sweet character. It offers more mature notes of maple syrup, brown sugar, spice box, raisin and chocolate beer nuts, and its terrific balancing acidity cuts through the sweetness. This delicious effort is best drunk after the meal.
Robert M. Parker, Jr., Wine Advocate (August 2012)
Full of toffee and caramelized nuts, this sherry is rich and frankly sweet, but it has a lot of character. Rather subtle prune note at the long finish.
Drink now
James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com (October 2018)
About this WINE
Bodegas Emilio Lustau
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 firm also produces superb wines from its recently acquired 170 hectare Montenegrillo vineyard.
Amontillado Sherry
Amontillado Sherry is a renowned style of fortified wine originating from the Jerez region in Andalusia, Spain. It holds a unique and intriguing position among Sherries, bridging the gap between the light, delicate Fino and the rich, robust Oloroso Sherry. Crafted primarily from the Palomino grape, Amontillado undergoes a distinctive ageing process that combines both biological and oxidative methods, resulting in its characteristic complexity and depth. This dual ageing technique imparts a balance of fresh, nutty flavours with richer, more intense notes, making Amontillado a versatile and sophisticated choice for wine enthusiasts.
The production of Amontillado Sherry begins with the fermentation of Palomino grapes, known for their high acidity and neutral flavour profile. Unlike Fino Sherry, aged exclusively under a layer of flor yeast that protects it from oxidation, Amontillado initially follows this biological ageing process. However, the flor begins to weaken or dissipate after a certain period, allowing the wine to transition into oxidative ageing. This shift exposes the wine to oxygen, developing deeper colours and more complex flavours. The ageing is typically carried out in the traditional Solera system, where younger wines are gradually blended with older ones to maintain consistency and enhance complexity over time.
Amontillado Sherry boasts a medium to deep amber hue, reflecting its prolonged exposure to oxygen during the ageing process. Its aroma is a captivating blend of toasted almonds, hazelnuts, and dried fruits, complemented by subtle hints of caramel and vanilla. Amontillado offers a harmonious balance of dryness and richness on the palate, with flavours that echo its aromatic profile. The wine's texture is smooth and velvety, with a lingering finish that showcases its nuanced layers of taste. This complexity makes Amontillado approachable for those new to Sherry and deeply satisfying for seasoned aficionados.
When it comes to food pairings, Amontillado Sherry is a true culinary chameleon. Its balanced profile complements a wide range of dishes, from savoury to slightly sweet. It pairs beautifully with aged cheeses like Manchego or Parmesan, enhancing their rich flavours without overpowering them. Additionally, Amontillado is an excellent match for hearty dishes such as roasted meats, stews, and game, where its depth can stand up to robust flavours. It complements tapas, nuts, and olives for lighter fare, making it a perfect choice for social gatherings and appetisers.
Amontilharmonisery is also significant in Spanish culture and history. Traditionally enjoyed as an aperitif, it has become a staple in casual and formal dining settings. The meticulous craftsmanship in its production reflects the rich winemaking heritage of the Jerez region, where generations of vintners have perfected the art of Sherry making. Today, Amontillado continues to be celebrated in Spain and internationally, and it is appreciated for its elegance, versatility, and the sophisticated balance it brings to any dining experience.
Palomino Fino
Palomino, named after Fernan Yanez Palomonio, one of King Alfonso X`s knights, is the primary grape variety for Sherry styles (Fino, Manzanilla, Amontillado, Oloroso, Palo Cortado) production.
It is a high yielding variety that is widely planted in Spain producing mostly insipid thin, dull wines lacking in fruit and acidity. However it thrives on the predominantly chalk based soils of Cadiz where it produces large bunches of golden yellow grapes, which ripen in early September. The resulting must is transparent in colour and somewhat neutral in flavour, but the subsequent wine can develop a coating of flor before maturing in the solera system and produce a whole range of intense and aromatic sherries.
It is also grown in South Africa, California, and Australia where it is fortified to make sherry-style wines.
When is a wine ready to drink?
We provide drinking windows for all our wines. Alongside the drinking windows there is a bottle icon and a maturity stage. Bear in mind that the best time to drink a wine does also depend on your taste.
Not ready
These wines are very young. Whilst they're likely to have lots of intense flavours, their acidity or tannins may make them feel austere. Although it isn't "wrong" to drink these wines now, you are likely to miss out on a lot of complexity by not waiting for them to mature.
Ready - youthful
These wines are likely to have plenty of fruit flavours still and, for red wines, the tannins may well be quite noticeable. For those who prefer younger, fruitier wines, or if serving alongside a robust meal, these will be very enjoyable. If you choose to hold onto these wines, the fruit flavours will evolve into more savoury complexity.
Ready - at best
These wines are likely to have a beautiful balance of fruit, spice and savoury flavours. The acidity and tannins will have softened somewhat, and the wines will show plenty of complexity. For many, this is seen as the ideal time to drink and enjoy these wines. If you choose to hold onto these wines, they will become more savoury but not necessarily more complex.
Ready - mature
These wines are likely to have plenty of complexity, but the fruit flavours will have been almost completely replaced by savoury and spice notes. These wines may have a beautiful texture at this stage of maturity. There is lots to enjoy when drinking wines at this stage. Most of these wines will hold in this window for a few years, though at the very end of this drinking window, wines start to lose complexity and decline.
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Description
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 award-winning sweet Sherry is reminiscent of rich, concentrated fig and raisin fruits. Made from Palomino Fino and sweetened with Pedro Ximénez, it is perfect with mature Cheddar cheese, light desserts and cakes.
Berry Bros. & Rudd
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