Lustau Oloroso Pata de Gallina

Bodegas Lustau, established in 1896, is one of the most respected houses in the Sherry Triangle, with bodegas in Jerez de la Frontera, El Puerto de Santa Maria and Sanlucar de Barrameda and its own albariza vineyards including Vina Montegilillo. This Oloroso is made from Palomino fortified to around 20 percent, a level high enough to prevent flor from forming. Without the protective yeast veil the wine ages oxidatively in American oak butts through a criaderas and soleras system, where slow contact with air converts ethanol to acetaldehyde and concentrates the wine as it gently evaporates. The result is deep amber to mahogany in the glass. The nose is dry and complex, with walnut, hazelnut, polished leather and dried herbs over a base of oak and orange peel. The palate is full, savoury and dry despite the rich aromatics, with a warming, nutty finish that lingers. Serve at 13 to 14 degrees in a generous glass to let the oxidative aromas open. It is a wine for hearty savoury cooking and aged cheese rather than anything delicate or sweet.