MADEIRA thread

WINE TALK
1

Let’s start with a question:

What is the greatest bottle (or glass) of Madeira you have ever tasted?


P.S. Feel free to ask any questions you may have about Madeira too. [cheers.gif]

2

Hard to pick that one,Roy…but the 75 D’Oliveira Moscatel is in the top 5.
My question is where can I get more for under $400?.. [drinkers.gif]

3

I love the D’Oliveiras from 1875, but definitely prefer the Malvasia from that year/producer … especially side-by-side.


The days of those bottlings costing sub-$400 is gone the way of the black and white analog TV set.

4

As a complete neophyte, would you at all recommend the “historical bottling” blends from TRWC? I’ve been thinking about pulling the trigger on a couple of bottles just to get an idea of the madeira universe.

5

I think they’re fantastic. The Boston Bual is my favorite.

6

.

7

Roy, I ordered some 10 year old Broadbent on your advice. Stll have not had a Madeira yet…

8

1950 Barbeito Terrantez ‘Fajã dos Padres’

9

I have never tried Madeira. I need to change that though.

10

We used to sell Broadbent, so I have tasted Bual, Verdelho, Sercial and Malvasia/Malmsey a century old. I like the flavor profile of Malmsey the best, and continue to buy Broadbent’s 10 year Malmsey. My prized bottle, though, is a 1933 Malvasia, which is disappearing all too fast.

11

I own 1 bottle bought here in Honolulu for $20:

The Rare Wine Co. Historic Series Madeira Boston Bual Special Reserve

Wine produced and bottled by Vinhos Barbeito (Madeira) Lda., Funchal
Produce of the Island of Madeira, Portugal

This has a picture of Faneuil Hall on the label.

Any insights as to this bottle would be appreciated.

mtia

12

$20? That is a great deal! This goes for $50 or so here in Seattle and is my favorite of the easy-to-source Madeiras. I hope it is not heat-damaged, though. (A lot of wine I bought in hawaii was heat damaged.) However, Madeira is sturdy, and I expect this is probably just fine. Great score!

13

Duh!

I guess a little google doesn’t hurt: http://www.rarewineco.com/html/rwc-hist.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Roy, maybe you could explain some of the terms: Bual, Sercial, Verdehlo, Malmsey

Thanks

14

It’s hard to heat damage Madeira, fortunately. I’ve loved every glass Roy has poured for me, which makes up about 90% of the Madeira I’ve tried. I think the Broadbent 10 Year Malmsey is an AWESOME QPR, and need to get another bottle or two. But the best I’ve had is a bottle of 1895 that Chuck Miller opened at Le Pichet one night. Wow, the complexity. Your thread reminds me I need more.

15

I have only had TRWC Boston Bual and NY Malmsey. Enjoyed both very much but preferred the malmsey style better. Roy, do you happen to have a recommendation on a 1977 vintage? And one that I actually may be able to find in Texas given our ridiculous laws.

I’m sure Roy’s explanation of the different Madeira grapes/styles will add more insight but the Wikipedia page below does a decent job as a start.

16

1934 Henrique & Henrique Verdelho.

Still the only Madeira that I’ve really loved.

17

It was either an 1863 or 1864 Barbieto Bual or Malmsey. It was just a stunning experience and the best of all the 19th century Madeiras that I have drunk.

I have a small glass of 1845 Cossart Gordon Bual Solera on the table three feet in front of me and the bouquet is enveloping the entire room. Notes to follow.

18

The Quinta do Serrado Bual 1827 at a madeira vertical in 2001 in Hong Kong. Magical.

19

Not that I don’t appreciate the 63 Barbeito,but I continue to be amazed at how often I have seen it offered.It seems that for the last decade,whatever drinking/dining establishment/airport bar I have found myself in,there it is by the glass…albeit for around $65… [whistle.gif]

20

More like impossible.