Lustau Don Nuno Oloroso Dry Sherry

Lustau Don Nuno Oloroso Dry Sherry shines when sipped neat at cellar temperature (around 55°F) from a copita or white wine glass, allowing its complex nutty and dried fruit flavors to unfold. This versatile fortified wine also excels in stirred, spirit-forward cocktails, pairs beautifully with rich, savory dishes like aged cheeses and cured meats, and offers a warming embrace on cool autumn evenings.

Nose: Dried fruits like raisins and figs dominate, accompanied by roasted nuts, particularly walnuts and almonds. There's a distinct aroma of toffee and caramel, with hints of oak and a subtle coffee note.

Palate: Rich and full-bodied with a smooth texture. Flavors of toasted hazelnuts and pecans blend with dark chocolate and espresso. There's a savory umami quality reminiscent of soy sauce, balanced by sweet notes of burnt sugar and dried apricots. A touch of baking spices adds complexity.

Finish: Long and warming with a pleasant dryness. Lingering notes of salted caramel and roasted coffee beans. A subtle woody character persists, along with a gentle nuttiness that slowly fades, leaving a slightly tangy, saline aftertaste typical of quality Oloroso sherry.

Lustau Don Nuno Oloroso Dry Sherry undergoes a unique aging process in the solera system, where barrels of different ages are stacked and a portion of the oldest sherry is bottled while younger wine replenishes it from above. This method, combined with oxidative aging in partially-filled barrels, allows the sherry to develop its rich, nutty flavors and deep amber color without the flor yeast typically found in fino styles.

• Lustau Don Nuno Oloroso Dry Sherry is aged for an average of 12 years using a unique system called "solera," where newer wines are gradually mixed with older ones. This process creates a sherry with an average age of over a decade, despite not carrying an age statement on the bottle.
• Unlike most sherries that start as a fino and then become an oloroso if the flor dies, Don Nuno is intentionally fortified to 18% alcohol from the beginning. This higher alcohol content prevents flor growth, allowing the sherry to oxidize and develop its rich, nutty character from day one.
• The name "Don Nuno" pays homage to Don Nuño González de Lara, a 13th-century Spanish nobleman who played a crucial role in the Reconquista of Jerez. Legend has it that he enjoyed a glass of oloroso sherry before each battle, believing it brought him strength and good fortune.