For The Love Of Port

Would love to go, but unfortunately it is too far.

One should organize one Madeira gathering on this side of the Atlantic, as well, or perhaps in the "middle" of it...

Hi Scott As far as Blandy is concerned I think that it is just a marketing issue, as there is no "Harvest" category in the regulations, but it could be worth investigating. I have looked into the Madeira wine regulations and I can confirm that since 2000 all Colheitas may only be sold afte...

Hi Scott,

At least currently, there is no distinction between "Colheita" and "Harvest", the latter being the English translation of the former.

I have double-checked this on the IVBAM website.

David. The problem is that the wines are so good that waiting two years will be a problem. Even more in the context that the only around above 1000 bottles of each are produced and by then they will no longer be available in the market. I just wished that Madeira productions were higher to allow peo...

David, Thanks for posting all those great notes! When I was at Barbeito the week before last, I tasted both Ribeiro Reals, the Boal and the Verdelho, the Verdelho being noticeably less ready to drink than the Boal. Ricardo Diogo confirmed this when he arrived at the tasting room. The Boal comprises ...

Neither in mainland Portugal! It has just been released and is available at Barbeito's shop at the winery. You can also view the wine's techincal sheet on Barbeito's website.

The wine is absolutely stunning, but will be even better in the future.

After a long time without posting anything here, allow me to leave my impressions. Absolute favorites were the 1898 Barbeito Sercial, 1850 Olivera's Verdelho (70's bottling) and 1934 Justino's Boal. Apart from these, I would say the 40 years Malvazia from Borges, 40 years Malvazia Mãe Manuela, the 1...

I thought that asking for "vinho do Porto tinto" (essentially "wine, port, red") would get you a ruby Port, while "vinho tinto" (wine, red) would get you a red table wine. Is that not true? That is totally correct, but if you mention only "tinto" that's when ...

Rune, The Alexandre Almeida hotels group, owner of Buçaco Palace hotel and the Curia Palace hotel, amongst others, merged in 2012 with the Quinta das Lágrimas group, which besides Quinta das Lágrimas in Coimbra, owns the one michelin starred restaurant Eleven in Lisbon and created the new Thema hote...

Thanks for the words Glenn. We use the English words indeed, except for the Portuguese word "Colheita". There is old Portuguese word for "tawny", which is "aloirado", but no one uses it. Just a small remark, if one asks for a "tinto", people can bring you a re...

2008 Poças LBV (filtered) - opened this evening

Just opened:

1994 Quinta do Noval LBV Unfiltered

2005 Taylor's Quinta de Vargellas (half bottle)

1. Fonseca 2. Taylors 3. Noval 4. Gould Campbell - although I was told by a representative of Symington that the intention is to discontinue this label soon and focus on lesser labels/brands. This was the answer I received to my question as to why has Symington not produced GC 2011 VP. I hope that t...

6x 1994 Quinta do Noval LBV Unfiltered
6x 1997 Quinta do Noval LBV Unfiltered

I had the 1997 about a month ago and it was showing great. Now I am very curious to try the 1994!

Goncalo, I had this at the winery when I was in Funchal over NYE. Was very impressed with it so I bought a couple bottles to take home with me. Similar showing the other night with notes of almond,vanilla, lime, and the proper amount of acidity. Bright orange hue.. Very very good young Sercial. I r...

Thank you Andy!

Chose a Blandy's Malvazia 5 yr for the toast with around 50 guests.

Justin A wrote:10 yr Broadbent Malvasia
1979 Borges Sercial

Justin, how was the Borges Sercial? I am curious about that wine as it is my birthyear and 1979, was not a good vintage overall.

Miguel Simoes wrote:
Congrats in advance Gonçalo! That's a lot of Madeira spirit packed into a little girl. Any chance you named her Malvasia??

No , but Maria, which isn't that far from that!...

I have also just bought a pack of 6 2007 Fonseca LBV for 15 Eur, but had not tried it yet. That's a great LBV. I had so many bottles of it over the last year that I got a little sick of it though. Tempted to buy some more to put away. My idea is to try one and put the rest away. In the meantime wil...

Roy,

When do you think you will be publishing the next newsletter? Also very interested in your 2011 VP tastng notes!