Rich, full walnut aromas, a mix of fresh-cracked walnuts and Nocino Italian walnut liqueur, with a piquant back note of lemon. Nuts and tangy lemon carry over on the palate, light brown-sugar sweetness more than overpowered by sharp acidity. Hints of dark chocolate join walnuts and citrus in the flavor with a touch of alcoholic heat, a complex wine that opens up remarkably with cheese or other unctuous food match. Labeled "Solera Familiar," Lustau's good but relatively affordable range; 18.5% alcohol. U.S. importer: Europvin USA, Van Nuys, Calif. (Oct. 23, 2017)FOOD MATCH: We found it just a bit hot for sipping on its own, but buttery cheeses worked a miracle, softening its sharpness and heat while bringing up the nutty, dark-chocolate flavors.
WHEN TO DRINK: There's no rush to open the bottle, and you can even keep it for some time after the bottle has been opened, althought I'd try to finish it in weeks, not months.
VALUE:
My local price was a good jump above Wine-Searcher.com's $17 average U.S. retail. With many vendors offering it below the middle teens, I'd shop around if possible.
WEB LINK
Here is Lustau's fact sheet on "Los Arcos" Amontillado, and this is the importer's info sheet on the wine.
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Wisdom & Warter Extra Amontillado Sherry ($11.99)
Clear copper-bronze color, almost a pale orange hue. A mix of cracked walnuts, pecans, hazelnuts, and a distinct hint of lemon show on the nose and palate. It's nutty and full-bodied in flavor, with medium-level sweetness well balanced by sharp, zingy acidity that lingers on the sides of your tongue. It carries its 20 percent alcohol well, with mixed nuts and tart citrus lingering in a very long finish. According to the label, "Special reserve drawn from the solera established in 1912." U.S. importer: Excelsior Wine and Spirits, Old Brookville, N.Y. (Oct. 21, 2017)FOOD MATCH: Its firm acidity over soft sweetness invites a fatty food companion such as mixed cheeses to soften its edges. The winery also suggests unspecified soups or salads, and suggests it for aperitif use chilled or even over ice.
WHEN TO DRINK: There's no rush with sweeter Sherries, which can hold up for years without either evolution or loss of quality in the bottle.
VALUE:
For once, my local price is a couple of bucks below Wine-Searcher.com's $13 average retail. If you like this style of sweet but tart Sherry, it's a good deal anywhere near that price.
WEB LINK
U.S. importer Banfi offers this fact sheet on Wisdom & Warter Extra Amontillado Sherry
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Find vendors and compare prices for Wisdom & Warter Extra Amontillado Sherry on Wine-Searcher.com.
Here's a list of all Wisdom & Warter's wines and merchants on Wine-Searcher.com.