Lustau East India Solera

Bodegas Lustau makes this sweet Sherry in D.O. Jerez-Xeres-Sherry in Andalusia, from Palomino vinified as Oloroso and blended with Pedro Ximenez. The style recalls the old practice of maturing wine on long sea voyages, recreated here by ageing the wine in the wettest and warmest part of the bodega so that the heat speeds its development. Both components are aged separately for a long period, the Oloroso oxidatively under no flor and the Pedro Ximenez from sun-dried grapes, before being married and aged together for at least three years in 33 special American oak casks through the solera system. That fractional blending across criaderas and soleras, combined with the warm, oxidative environment, gives the wine its depth and consistency, with around 140 grams per litre of residual sugar from the Pedro Ximenez. The colour is deep mahogany. The nose is intricate, with raisin, hazelnut, dried apricot, dark chocolate and toffee. The palate is creamy and sweet but moderated, the oxidative nuttiness and a savoury edge keeping the sugar in balance through a long finish. Serve lightly chilled or cool in a small glass. It suits chocolate and caramel desserts, walnut cake and aged hard cheese.