1862 D'Oliveiras Madeira Sercial, Portugal, Wine Review

Wow, so much fun to try a wine this old. The US Civil War was going on as these grapes were growing. Sercial is the grape used and it makes the driest version of Madeira. The color of Iced Tea, clear and bright. The nose has orange peel, and an earthiness to it. Also some walnut notes. And, of course, some oxidation. Medium bodied. Bracing acidity. On the palate, slightly nutty with a lot of alcohol. A bit of butter scotch. The finish is warm with some char. A very interesting wine and a little goes a long way. Probably best to drink this on its own after a great meal.

Grade:

A-

Score:

Vintage:

1862

Current Price:

$2200.00USD

Bartholomew Broadbent on Port, Madeira, and Great Quirky Wines from across the Globe

He's been named as one of the “fifty most influential people in the wine world" by Decanter Magazine . Bartholomew Broadbent The company he founded was nominated "Importer of the Year for 2005" by Wine Enthusiast . Prior to launching his own firm, he worked for a "Who's Who" list of the world's elite wine establishments with names like Harrod’s, Harvey’s Fine Wine Merchants, and Christie’s in London, the Rothbury Estate and Yalumba Winery in Australia, Hennessy and L’Academie du Vin in France, and Schenley in Canada, gracing his resumé. His work in Canada even resulted in the Canadian press labeling him the "Wayne Gretzky of Wine". He's widely considered to be one of the world’s foremost authorities on Port and Madeira. He's also credited for the growth of North American Port consumption during the mid 1980’s and was responsible for the re-introduction of Madeira to North America in 1989.

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1820 Vanderpool Madeira Wine, Portugal, Wine Review

Vintage:

1820

Score:

100

Grade:

A+

Crazy bottle. The grapes were the 1820 vintage. That means James Monroe, one of the USA's Founding Father's was president when these grapes were harvested. Apparently in 1858 John Vanderpool, and affluent New Yorker has health issues and was advised by his doctor to try a different climate. On his travels, he stopped on the island of Madeira where he purchased a quantity of this wine and stored it in glass demijohns. He passed away, survived by his son, Jacob Vanderpoel, who in 1870, had this wine bottles for its 50th anniversary. Somehow, a bottle made it to northeast Ohio where it w

NV Blandy's Madeira Malmsey 5 Years Old, Portugal, Wine Review

Score:

Grade:

B+

Current Price:

$24.00USD

It is nice to drink an inexpensive Madeira. Iced tea in color, clear and bright. The nose is nice with raisins, orange marmalade, molasses, and spice. Medium bodied. Slightly sweet. Viscous. On the palate, the orange marmalade comes thru along with raisins and nutmeg. Good acidity. Some depth. Nice finish. A little goes along way. A few ounces is a nice way to finish a meal or have an evening drink. An open bottle should easily last a month or more. Very nice on its own, but this would be nice with a toffee dessert.

1968 D'Oliveiras Madeira Boal, Portugal, Wine Review

Vintage:

1968

Score:

Grade:

Current Price:

$458.00USD

A great showing for this "young" Madeira. Light brown (the color of Iced tea) in color, mostly clear and bright. The nose is great. Dusty with Tootsie Rolls, caramel and orange peel notes. Full bodied. Viscous texture. Great acidity. On the palate, this is slightly sweet. Complex. Delicious. Chocolate, caramel and slight oranges. Long, long finish. This is drinking well and at age 55, it has decades maybe centuries left. Great on its own, this would work with more savory, plain desserts.

NV Rare Wine Co. (Vinhos Barbeito) Madeira Historic Series New York Malmsey Special Reserve, Portugal, Wine Review

Vintage:

2021

Score:

Grade:

A-

Current Price:

$45.00USD

These Rare Wine Historic series of Madeira are excellent and really great values, too. Coffee color, clear and bright. The nose has burnt sugar, toffee, and orange zest. On the palate, this is slightly sweet. Nutty and toffee on the palate, with a menthol note. Warming but not hot. Good acidity. Good finish. A bottle can be consumed over months once opened, so it makes for a nice late night sipper in a small glass. It can be paired with a not too sweet dessert especially a nutty one. Drink over the next 75 years. :-)

1862 D'Oliveiras Madeira Sercial, Portugal, Wine Review

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Bartholomew Broadbent on Port, Madeira, and Great Quirky Wines from across the Globe

1820 Vanderpool Madeira Wine, Portugal, Wine Review

NV Blandy's Madeira Malmsey 5 Years Old, Portugal, Wine Review

1968 D'Oliveiras Madeira Boal, Portugal, Wine Review

NV Rare Wine Co. (Vinhos Barbeito) Madeira Historic Series New York Malmsey Special Reserve, Portugal, Wine Review