Winemaker Notes
#82 Wine Spectator Top 100 of 2012
Aged for equal periods under "flor" and in contact with the oxygen, in Bodega Emperatriz Eugenia in Jerez de la Frontera. This dry Amontillado acquires a genuine, rich and nutty flavor through years of aging. Amber in color, with hazelnut aromas on the nose. Light, soft and round on the palate, with a long aftertaste.
Serve slightly chilled, in a white wine glass as an aperitif with grilled artichokes, aged cheese or accompanying soups, mushroom dishes, green asparagus or risottos.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The non-vintage Dry Amontillado Los Arcos Solera Reserva reveals a medium amber hue along with a nutty, honeyed, dry personality with great acid.
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James Suckling
A very attractive, medium-bodied Amontillado with a slew of dried fruit and a delicate hint of toffee. Elegant and dry with just a hint of bitterness that the rich flavors balance very nicely. Very clean finish.
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Decanter
Aromas of fruit cake, mushroom and toffee. A rich, mildly viscous, yet fresh palate. A lively salty tang with a long savoury finish. Very well-balanced and complex.
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Wine Spectator
A more flattering style, with an off-dry edge to the walnut paste, hazelnut, date and clove-studded orange notes, which show nice focus and zip on the finish.
The origins of The House of Lustau date back to 1896, when Mr. José Ruiz-Berdejo, started cultivating the vines of the family's estate in his spare time. In these humble beginnings he made wines which were then sold to larger sherry producers. This activity was known as being an almacenista.
Lustau has repeatedly been awarded with multiple awards and trophies from around the world. These accolades have been achieved by the products and team, both considered best of the industry. The day-to-day work and the wisdom transmitted from generation to generation of craftsmen, come together in the care of their casks.
More than 125 years of history and expertise combined with their team's passion and dedication shape the character and personality of Lustau wines.
Sherry is a fortified wine that comes in many styles from dry to sweet. True Sherry can only be made in Andalucía, Spain where the soil and unique seasonal changes give a particular character to its wines. The process of production—not really the grape—determine the type, though certain types are reserved for certain grapes. Palomino is responsible for most dry styles; Pedro Ximénez and Muscat of Alexandria are used for blending or for sweet styles.
Known more formally as Jerez de la Frontera, Jerez is a city in Andalucía in southwest Spain and the center of the Jerez region and sherry production. Sherry is a mere English corruption of the term Jerez, while in French, Jerez is written, Xérès. Manzanilla is the freshest style of sherry, naturally derived from the seaside town of Sanlúcar de Barrameda.