LÓPEZ HERMANOS PX Reserva de la Familia (Málaga) 17% Alc.
Part of a new series of modern-looking bottlings from this house, I must admit the image is better than the quality in this product. Retailing for around $10 per 50 cl., this is a youngish-looking PX with an air of profound correctness about it but unexciting in general. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a more than laudable initiative, a much-needed facewash for the stickies of this DO, but except for the very decent QPR I can think of a half-dozen PX that precede this in my preferences for under-$15 stickies. Deep mahogany, looking more like a deep oloroso than a PX (save for the glass-staining unctuousness) this will be loved by those who are fond of the Lustau PX San Emilio, being closer to internationally-accepted concentration levels (ie: somewhat diluted for a Spanish sweet tooth). Very nicely balanced, and almost “fresh” (ditto for international success), it was a pleasant end for a good meal.