Press Reports

'Sherry the Saviour' - Daily Mail

A glass of sherry a day can help potect against heart disease just like red wine, scientists said.  The Spanish drink contains chemicals, which help reduce cholesterol levels.  The researchers at the University of Seville believe the beneficial effects of a moderate intake of sherry are due to it's antioxidants, chemical compounds which remove substances called free radicals that damage body tissue. 

Decanter – August 2003 – Top ‘Great Buy’

Peter Cobb awarded the only five star award to Puerto Fino.

Daily Telegraph – June 14th 2003

The salty tang of this superb dry sherry (Puerto Fino) is a heady reminder of the sea breezes that cool the bodegas in El Puerto de Santa María in Andalucia. Halfway between a fino and a manzanilla, this is one of the most refreshing revivers I know. Do as the Spanish do and serve with almonds and olives. Andrew Catchpole.

Wine Magazine – May 2003

Puerto Fino is one of Julian Jeff’s top twenty sherries.

New Life for an old Tradition      

Outside of the Lustau range there is almost no sign of Almacenista activity in the UK.

Lustau is putting its money where its mouth is and maintaining the range of small-scale, individual, hand crafted wines from independent producers that have been the benchmark for the past decades. 

Highlighted Almacenistas were

José-Luis Obregón who lists an excellent Fino del Puerto, an Oloroso del Puerto and a sublime rare Amontillado del Puerto.

Juan-García Jarana provides the Amontillado de Jerez and the Oloroso Pata de Gallina - the name means 'hen's leg but don't be put off: it's a wonderful, old, dry oloroso.

Miguel Fontádez Florido contributes an amontillado-fino, an amontillado and a very rare oloroso.  This last is an astonishingly concentrated and perfumed wine.

Vides provides a Palo Cortado, one of the rarest styles of sherry and one which the company maintains with meticulous care.

Manuel Cuevas Jurado who has a manzanilla which is excellent but the most exquisite wine is the rare manzanilla-amontillada.  This has a delicate walnut hue, a nose of almonds and butterscotch, and a gentle dryness that is a master of complexity.

John Radford, Wine Magazine May 2003

Wine and Chocolate - Perfect Pairings Wine Spectator October 2002

Lustau Sherry East India Solera 90 points

In a dessert (Master chocolatier Jacques Torres' dense almond chocolate cake) and wine combination, chocolate becomes part of the choir instead of a soloist.  It's a sensational wine and food match.

Emilio Lustau SA Jerez

Parker called the Emilio Lustau line 'simply staggering in quality' and added 'Sherries such as these remain among the last great unknown wine bargains of the world. They must be tasted to be believed'.

Emilio Lustau is justly famous for its Almacenista wines. Almacenistas are stockists or small bodega owners who have a contract with Lustau to supply and market their wines under the Lustau umbrella. Quantities are small but the wines are well worth seeking out.

Each label carries the Almacenista's name on it and the wines are invariably excellent and traditional in style mostly dry amontillados and olorosos.

Peter Cobb, Drinks Buyer Europe

Lustau Almacenista Manzanilla Amontillada (Manuel Cuevas Jurado)

It's rare for a manzanilla to be aged to this level at home but this is worth seeking out. Fine delicate and mature, yet still crisp and fresh. A masterpiece.

John Radford's Top Ten, Decanter July 99

Lustau Almacenista Palo Cortado (Vides)

Quite simply a wine of astonishing complexity, richness and character with a completely dry finish, Rare and expensive but who cares.

John Radford's Top Ten, Decanter July 99

Recommended Sherry - Lustau Solera Reserva Fino Jarana

Full-bodied mouth filling toasty sherry that really does taste like a wine rather than an aperitif. Bring on the olives.

Robert Joseph Sunday Telegraph June 99

Lustau Almacenista Amontillado del Puerto (Gonzàlez Obregòn)

A well aged wine with excellent length and fantastic nutty complexity.

Wine Magazine April 99

Lustau Old East India Sherry

If you're looking for a handsome Christmas bottle to grace the sideboard, your search is over. This luscious raisiny sherry with lots of soft creamy caramel on the finish is great with mince pies and Christmas cake.

Jane MacQuitty Good Housekeeping

"Nectar from Jerez . Emilio Lustau's bright idea was to buy the odd butt or two of fine wine that the Almacenistas had for sale and to ship them to this country unblended and with the minimum of treatment. The quantities are small and they need to be sought out, but they are very, very well worth seeking."

Julian Jeffs, Decanter Magazine

"Very special. I think this is to basic Sherry what your langostinos are to fish fingers."

Jancis Robinson

"Emilio Lustau is putting the excitement back into Sherry."

James Suckling, The Wine Spectator