96 points and 'Best Buy,' Robert Parker: "A mind-blowing sherry is the non-vintage Palo Cortado Peninsula Solera Reserva. Like all Lustau sherries except for the East India, it is made from the Palomino varietal. A dry, crisp, full-throttle, intense sherry offering incredibly complex, nutty aromas, it represents a style that falls between the Amontillado and the more oxidized, heavier Oloroso. (Aug 2012)"
93 points Decanter: "Palo Cortado melds the best qualities of amontillado (dry, delicate, walnut skins, hints of flor) and oloroso (caramel, rich, dried figs, more oxidised) in an intense, complex whole. This is concentrated, with nutty spiced fruit cake density and a long chocolate finish. Stock up for festive feasts. Alcohol 19%. (Jan 2020)"
91 points and 'Year's Best Sherry,' Wine & Spirits: "Striking a precise balance of sweetness, salty mineral and lime, this Palo Cortado contrasts caramel and exotic spice with limestone earthiness and the taste of salted almonds. A fine example of the style. Best Buy. (Oct 2013)"
WHWC Staff Notes: "'Go ahead, I dare you.' A few years back, a friend and I debated a digestif pairing for a Bacchanalian Thanksgiving dinner being prepared by his brother, a chef in NYC. I shot down all the typical options and pulled this one out of my hat. That was his response. Palo Cortado is a rare variety of sherry that is initially aged under flor (a protective layer of live yeasts) to become a fino or amontillado, but it inexplicably loses its veil of flor and begins aging oxidatively as an oloroso, a process that occurs randomly in only 1-2% of barrels aging as sherry. The result is a wine with the richness of oloroso and the crispness of amontillado. In short, it's a freak of nature, but it's also one of the most unique and complex flavor profiles in the entire world of wine. Aromas of hazelnut, Chinese five spice, roasted coffee bean, and candied orange peel give way to flavors of dried apricots, marzipan, dark chocolate, and a distinctly saline finish. It was perfect with pan-seared foie gras and French toast. Is that over the top? Try it for yourself. Go ahead, I dare you. - Andrew Kitz, 8/28/15
Producer notes: " A Palo Cortado brings together the finesse and delicacy of an Amontillado on the bouquet with the richness on the palate of an Oloroso. This rare wine, with its amber gold colour, dryness and immensely rich flavour, has light chocolate/coffee flavours yet retains plenty. Awarded Silver Medal at IWC 2005. Serve as an apéritif. Serve very slightly chilled. Alcohol: 19% by volume. Grape Variety: Palomino Fino."
***/Recommended, F. Paul Pacult (Spirit Journal): "Deep saffron/ochre color; superb clarity. Rich in nuttiness and butterscotch in the first whiffs; after another six minutes of exposure to air, the aromatic profile turns yeasty and bread dough-like, also with hints of under-ripe bananas. Entry is sour and yeasty; midpalate is nicely astringent and a bit baked and minerally. (Dec 2009)"
93 points Decanter: "Palo Cortado melds the best qualities of amontillado (dry, delicate, walnut skins, hints of flor) and oloroso (caramel, rich, dried figs, more oxidised) in an intense, complex whole. This is concentrated, with nutty spiced fruit cake density and a long chocolate finish. Stock up for festive feasts. Alcohol 19%. (Jan 2020)"
91 points and 'Year's Best Sherry,' Wine & Spirits: "Striking a precise balance of sweetness, salty mineral and lime, this Palo Cortado contrasts caramel and exotic spice with limestone earthiness and the taste of salted almonds. A fine example of the style. Best Buy. (Oct 2013)"
WHWC Staff Notes: "'Go ahead, I dare you.' A few years back, a friend and I debated a digestif pairing for a Bacchanalian Thanksgiving dinner being prepared by his brother, a chef in NYC. I shot down all the typical options and pulled this one out of my hat. That was his response. Palo Cortado is a rare variety of sherry that is initially aged under flor (a protective layer of live yeasts) to become a fino or amontillado, but it inexplicably loses its veil of flor and begins aging oxidatively as an oloroso, a process that occurs randomly in only 1-2% of barrels aging as sherry. The result is a wine with the richness of oloroso and the crispness of amontillado. In short, it's a freak of nature, but it's also one of the most unique and complex flavor profiles in the entire world of wine. Aromas of hazelnut, Chinese five spice, roasted coffee bean, and candied orange peel give way to flavors of dried apricots, marzipan, dark chocolate, and a distinctly saline finish. It was perfect with pan-seared foie gras and French toast. Is that over the top? Try it for yourself. Go ahead, I dare you. - Andrew Kitz, 8/28/15
Producer notes: " A Palo Cortado brings together the finesse and delicacy of an Amontillado on the bouquet with the richness on the palate of an Oloroso. This rare wine, with its amber gold colour, dryness and immensely rich flavour, has light chocolate/coffee flavours yet retains plenty. Awarded Silver Medal at IWC 2005. Serve as an apéritif. Serve very slightly chilled. Alcohol: 19% by volume. Grape Variety: Palomino Fino."
***/Recommended, F. Paul Pacult (Spirit Journal): "Deep saffron/ochre color; superb clarity. Rich in nuttiness and butterscotch in the first whiffs; after another six minutes of exposure to air, the aromatic profile turns yeasty and bread dough-like, also with hints of under-ripe bananas. Entry is sour and yeasty; midpalate is nicely astringent and a bit baked and minerally. (Dec 2009)"
| Product SKU | 10626 |
| Producer | Lustau |
| Country | Spain |
| Region | Jerez-Xeres-Sherry |
| Varietal | Other Red Blends |
| Designation | Reserva |
| Vintage | NV |
| Size | 750ml |
| Color | Other |
| ABV | 19.0% |
| Ships To |
