Lustau East India Solera Sherry NV

Readers looking for something weighty, sweet, and provocative should check out the non-vintage East India Solera. A blend of soleras averaging 15 to 50 years of age, it boasts a dark amber color as well as a huge nose of melted toffee, caramel, figs, and prunes. This over-the-top yet surprisingly vibrant (because of good acidity) effort is best drunk as dessert at the end of a meal.

Rich and concentrated with coffee and caramel flavors in a balanced presentation. Picks up a grilled nut accent on the finish. Solid and complex, but not cloying. Drink now.

Pure, distinctly dried-fruit (figs and dates) nose. A luscious, decidedly sweet, but balance dessert wine with coffee, chocolate, date and apricot flavors.

This is a selection from botas of Oloroso and Pedro Ximandeacute;nez raised separately and then blended to age for three years in solera. The result puts the sweetness of the PX in front, with flavors of plum jam and tobacco. The salinity of the Oloroso brings freshness and fine minerality that play softly in the background.

This traditional wine from Lustau is made in the Cream style. Itandrsquo;s dark and pretty, with PX-ish prune and caramel aromas. Itandrsquo;s not as thick as Pedro Ximandeacute;nez, and thus isnandrsquo;t syrupy. But itandrsquo;s certainly rich and full of cookie, molasses, maple and brown sugar flavors. For anyone who likes a sweet Sherry thatandrsquo;s balanced, this is a good place to go.

This Olorosoandrsquo;s dose of pedro ximandeacute;nez accounts for its aromas of raisins, dried fruits and figs, as well as its creamy, spicy texture. Complex notes of cinnamon, clove, iodine and mineral details build into the finish. Serve it with cinnamon flan.