Lustau Dry Amontillado Los Arcos

Lustau Dry Amontillado Los Arcos shines when sipped neat at cellar temperature (around 55°F), allowing its complex nuttiness and subtle dried fruit notes to fully emerge. This versatile sherry also excels in stirred, spirit-forward cocktails, pairs beautifully with tapas like Marcona almonds or aged cheeses, and offers a warming embrace on crisp autumn evenings.

Nose: Toasted hazelnuts and almonds dominate, backed by dried apricots and figs. There's a hint of toffee, old leather, and sea salt. A whiff of oak and vanilla lingers in the background.

Palate: Medium-bodied with a smooth entry. Nutty flavors take center stage - think walnuts and roasted almonds. Dried fruit notes of raisins and dates appear, balanced by a tangy citrus peel. There's a subtle caramel sweetness, countered by a distinctive salty edge.

Finish: Long and dry. The nuttiness persists, accompanied by a gentle warmth. A slight bitterness reminiscent of dark chocolate emerges, along with lingering notes of salted caramel and a touch of oak. The finish leaves a pleasant, mouth-watering salinity that invites another sip.

Lustau Dry Amontillado Los Arcos begins its journey as a Fino sherry, aging under a layer of flor yeast, before the flor dies off and the wine continues to oxidatively age. This unique two-stage process results in a complex sherry that balances the crisp, yeasty notes of a Fino with the rich, nutty character typical of oxidative aging.

• Lustau's Los Arcos Amontillado starts life as a fino sherry, spending years under a layer of flor yeast before the protective veil dies off, exposing the wine to oxidation. This dual aging process creates its unique nutty-salty flavor profile.
• Despite its name, Amontillado Los Arcos is actually quite sweet for an amontillado, with about 17 grams of sugar per liter. This makes it a versatile cocktail ingredient, adding complexity to classics like the Bamboo or Adonis.
• The "Los Arcos" in the name refers to the arches of the Jerez Cathedral, visible from the Lustau bodega where this sherry ages. Each bottle captures a piece of the Jerez skyline and centuries of winemaking tradition.