Lustau Amontillado Los Arcos Sherry

Lustau Amontillado Los Arcos Sherry is a dry Amontillado sherry from Jerez de la Frontera, Spain, bottled at 18.5% ABV in a 750ml format. Awarded 93 points and a 'Best Buy' designation from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, it stands as one of the most critically praised Amontillados at its price tier — a benchmark for the dual-aged style.

Quick Facts: ABV: 18.5%  |  Origin: Jerez de la Frontera, Spain  |  8 Years Dual-Aged  |  Producer: Bodegas Lustau (Bodega Emperatriz Eugenia)

Production & Heritage

Bodegas Lustau, formally known as Bodega Emperatriz Eugenia, is one of the most respected sherry producers in Jerez de la Frontera. Los Arcos takes its name from the two arches at the entrance to the winery at Plaza del Cubo, where this Amontillado was aged — each arch dedicated to one of founder Emilio Lustau's sons' wives. Made entirely from Palomino Fino grapes, the wine undergoes a distinctive dual aging process: four years of biological aging under a layer of flor yeast, followed by four years of oxidative aging in American oak butts through the traditional solera system. This progression from fino-style biological aging to oxidative maturation gives Amontillado its characteristic complexity — lighter and more lifted than an Oloroso, yet deeper and nuttier than a Fino.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with pronounced hazelnut and walnut, layered with butterscotch, leather, and saline minerality. Given time in the glass, deeper notes of prune and crushed oyster shell emerge alongside a subtle smokiness.

Taste: The entry is lean and clean with bright acidity and a tart, almost austere edge. At mid-palate, dried fruit — dates and dried blood orange — come forward alongside a cinnamon warmth and savory, umami-like depth. Despite the richness, the wine remains naturally dry with only the faintest echo of sweetness.

Finish: The finish is long and cleansing, with lingering walnut, a hint of singed wood, and persistent salinity. A smoky raisin character fades slowly, leaving the palate dry and refreshed.

How to Drink Los Arcos

Los Arcos is best served lightly chilled between 12–14°C (54–57°F) in a tulip-shaped copita or white wine glass, which concentrates its nuanced aromatics. It drinks beautifully on its own as an aperitif or alongside food. For cocktails, try it in a Sherry Cobbler, where the nutty depth pairs naturally with fresh citrus and sugar; a Bamboo Cocktail (equal parts dry sherry and dry vermouth with bitters), where its oxidative character adds backbone; or an Adonis (sherry, sweet vermouth, orange bitters), where its dryness balances the vermouth's sweetness.

Best For

• Introducing a wine enthusiast to the depth and complexity of Amontillado sherry
• Pairing with a Spanish tapas spread or charcuterie board
• Stocking a home bar for classic sherry cocktails like the Bamboo or Adonis
• Gifting a curious drinker looking beyond the usual whisky and wine categories

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Los Arcos taste like? Los Arcos is a dry, medium-bodied Amontillado with prominent hazelnut and walnut flavors, bright acidity, dried fruit notes of date and orange, and a long, saline finish. It balances richness with a lean, austere elegance that distinguishes the Amontillado category.

How does Los Arcos compare to Gonzalez Byass Tio Pepe Amontillado? Both are well-regarded Amontillados from Jerez, but Los Arcos leans into a more pronounced nutty and leathery profile from its eight years of dual aging. Tio Pepe Amontillado is often described as slightly more delicate with a toasty, dried-fruit balance, while Los Arcos tends toward greater depth and saline intensity.

Is Los Arcos good for sipping neat? Absolutely — its complexity, bright acidity, and long finish make it one of the most rewarding Amontillados to drink on its own. Serving it lightly chilled in a copita glass will bring out the full range of hazelnut, mineral, and dried fruit aromatics.

Where is Los Arcos made? Los Arcos is produced by Bodegas Lustau at their Bodega Emperatriz Eugenia in Jerez de la Frontera, in the Andalusia region of southern Spain. Jerez is the historic heartland of sherry production and the origin of the wine's legal denomination.

What foods pair well with Los Arcos? Marcona almonds and aged Manchego cheese echo its nutty character; jamón ibérico matches its saline depth; grilled mushrooms or wild game complement the earthy, umami notes; and smoked salmon or oysters align naturally with its briny minerality.

What sizes does Los Arcos come in? Los Arcos is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle, which is the most common format for this expression.

Is Los Arcos worth the price? Los Arcos positions firmly in the entry-level to mid-range tier for quality Amontillado sherry, making its 93-point Robert Parker score and 91 points from both Wine Spectator and Decanter exceptional value. It consistently overdelivers relative to its price category, earning its 'Best Buy' designation.

Why Los Arcos?

Few sherries at this price point carry a 93-point rating from Robert Parker alongside high marks from Wine Spectator and Decanter. The eight-year dual aging process — four years biological, four years oxidative — produces a level of complexity that rivals Amontillados costing significantly more. The Lustau name carries serious weight in Jerez, and Los Arcos represents the house style at its most accessible: dry, layered, and genuinely complex. For anyone building a sherry collection or simply exploring beyond familiar wine and spirits categories, this bottling earns its place as one of the category's strongest values.