Emilio Lustau Pedro Ximenez San Emilio PX Sherry

Emilio Lustau Pedro Ximenez San Emilio PX Sherry is a richly concentrated dessert sherry made from 100% sun-dried Pedro Ximénez grapes, bottled at 19.5% ABV in a 750ml format. This 12-year-aged expression earned a Platinum medal and 97 points at the 2021 Decanter World Wine Awards, placing it among the most critically acclaimed PX sherries available.

Quick Facts: ABV: 19.5%  |  Origin: Jerez de la Frontera, Andalucía, Spain  |  12 Years Aged  |  Producer: Emilio Lustau  |  Appellation: Jerez – Sherry

Production & Heritage

Emilio Lustau, one of the most respected bodegas in the Sherry Triangle, ages this expression in its cellars in Jerez de la Frontera. The Pedro Ximénez grapes undergo the traditional soleo process, laid out under the Andalusian sun after harvest until they shrivel into near-raisins, concentrating their sugars to an extraordinary 417 g/L residual sweetness. Fermentation begins slowly and is halted early to preserve these natural sugars, after which the resulting wine ages oxidatively for 12 years in contact with the air — a prolonged maturation that builds remarkable depth and complexity far beyond younger PX bottlings.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with intense dried fig and date, layered with dark raisin and roasted nut. A subtle iodine-like mineral quality emerges beneath the fruit, lending an unexpected savory dimension to the otherwise opulent bouquet.

Taste: The entry is immediately luscious and viscous, coating the palate with baked brown sugar, molasses, and cinnamon cake. At mid-palate, prune and fig flavors intensify alongside warm spice, but a bracing acidity runs through the core, keeping this hugely concentrated wine from becoming cloying. The balance between sweetness and structure is the hallmark of this particular bottling.

Finish: Exceptionally long, with lingering notes of dried fruit, toasted nuts, and a faint bittersweet cocoa edge. The texture remains velvety through the final moments, tapering slowly rather than dropping off.

How to Drink San Emilio PX

Best served slightly chilled, around 12–14°C (54–57°F), in a small copita or tulip glass to concentrate the aromatics. A modest pour of two to three ounces rewards slow sipping after dinner. Affogato-style dessert: Pour a tablespoon over vanilla ice cream — the concentrated fig and molasses character transforms it into an instant dessert course. PX Old Fashioned: Substitute the sugar element with a barspoon of San Emilio in a bourbon Old Fashioned for a raisin-laced twist. Sherry Cobbler: The wine's natural sweetness and acidity make it an ideal base for this classic crushed-ice cocktail with fresh citrus and seasonal fruit.

Best For

• Gifting a wine or sherry enthusiast who appreciates aged, complex dessert wines
• Serving as an after-dinner digestif alongside a cheese and dried fruit board
• Drizzling over desserts — particularly vanilla ice cream, dark chocolate tarts, or blue cheese
• Exploring the Pedro Ximénez category with a critically acclaimed benchmark bottling

Frequently Asked Questions

What does San Emilio PX taste like? San Emilio PX delivers intensely sweet flavors of dried fig, raisin, molasses, baked brown sugar, and warm cinnamon, balanced by a firm acidic backbone that prevents it from becoming heavy. The 12-year oxidative aging adds layers of roasted nut and subtle cocoa.

How does San Emilio PX compare to González Byass Noé Pedro Ximénez? Both are premium aged PX sherries from Jerez, but Noé carries a 30-year-old VORS classification, making it significantly older and typically more expensive. San Emilio's 12-year aging offers a similar intensity of dried-fruit sweetness at a more accessible tier while still delivering award-winning complexity.

Is San Emilio PX good for sipping neat? It is exceptional neat, served slightly chilled in small portions — the viscous texture and concentrated sweetness are best appreciated in slow, deliberate sips after a meal.

Where is San Emilio PX made? San Emilio PX is produced by Bodegas Emilio Lustau in Jerez de la Frontera, within the Andalucía region of southern Spain, under the protected Denominación de Origen Jerez-Xérès-Sherry.

What foods pair well with San Emilio PX? Strong blue cheeses like Roquefort or Cabrales, whose salt and funk contrast the wine's sweetness. Dark chocolate truffles, which echo its cocoa undertones. Dried figs or dates stuffed with almonds, mirroring the wine's core flavors. Foie gras or duck liver pâté, where the sweetness cuts through the richness. Vanilla or cinnamon-spiced desserts like crème brûlée, which complement rather than compete with the wine's profile.

What sizes does San Emilio PX come in? San Emilio PX is commonly available in the standard 750ml bottle, as well as a 375ml half-bottle format suited to smaller pours or sampling.

Is San Emilio PX worth the price? San Emilio PX positions as a mid-premium Pedro Ximénez sherry — significantly more complex than entry-level PX bottlings thanks to its 12-year aging, yet priced well below ultra-aged VORS expressions, making it one of the strongest values in the category for its level of critical acclaim.

Why San Emilio PX?

A Platinum medal and 97 points at the 2021 Decanter World Wine Awards is not casually awarded, and this score places San Emilio among the elite Pedro Ximénez sherries in independent blind-tasting competition. The 12 years of oxidative aging in Jerez — combined with a residual sugar level of 417 g/L — produces a wine of staggering concentration that still manages structural balance through its natural acidity. Additional scores of 93 points from both Wine Enthusiast and Wine & Spirits confirm consistent critical approval across multiple evaluations. For anyone serious about exploring PX sherry beyond mass-market bottlings, this is a credentialed and deeply rewarding reference point for the style.