Lustau Palo Cortado Península

Lustau is one of the leading houses of the Marco de Jerez, and this Palo Cortado Península is built from Palomino grown in the chalky albariza soils of the region. Palo Cortado is the unusual sherry that begins life like a Fino, ageing biologically under flor, then loses that veil and continues oxidatively like an Oloroso. The result keeps the aromatic finesse of an Amontillado while gaining the weight and structure of an Oloroso on the palate. The wine ages by the traditional method of criaderas and soleras, a tiered cask system in which older wine is refreshed by younger in stages over time, here across an average of twelve years in seasoned butts. The long oxidative phase, with slow air contact through the wood, drives the nutty, roasted character and concentrates the wine as it loses volume to evaporation. It is bone dry, with only a few grams of residual sugar. The colour is brilliant amber. The nose offers hazelnut and walnut with smoke, coffee and a touch of cocoa. The palate is dry, powerful and saline with a long finish. Serve at 13 to 14 degrees in a white wine glass. It suits hard cheese, mushrooms and rich fish.