1977's Pereira D’Oliveiras & Cossart Gordon Terrantez

Tom Chadwick · Post by **Tom Chadwick** » Sun Oct 22, 2006 5:57 am

I've just purchase a bottle of 1975 Blandy's Terrantez btld 2004 and 1977 Blandy's Verdelho btld 2004. I'm a new convert to madeira and so wanted to start my purchasing. Sadly not able to buy the serious bottles yet, but hopefull in time I will. Are these worth waiting several years for further development, i.e saving money later on when the bottles are more expensive?

Would you ever serve Madeira with a meal?
For some reason I keep on thinking it might go with oriental food? Probably a drier style though!

I'd be appreciastive of your thoughts

Tom

Post by **Roy Hersh** » Sun Oct 22, 2006 10:41 am

Tom,

I will put some of my young Terrantez TNs, at the end of this posting. I think you are wise to grab the bottles today as I am afraid that the prices will never go down on Madeira again.

As far as Madeira and food pairing, I have had entire meals built around Madeira flights. Game birds can go very well with it, I know folks who think a dry Madeira and fried chicken is "da bomb" and I can't see why a not too spicy Asian dish would not work with the right bottling. People are so into rules with wine pairing that it is unfortunate. Experiment and you will be amazed at some of the great pairing possibilities. Please do let us know of your discoveries along the way. Thanks!

TNs:

1976 Henriques & Henriques Terrantez Vintage Madeira – A beautiful baby! Dark amber hue with a yellow meniscus, highlighting a light and deftly balanced Terrantez at this early stage. The zesty acidity stands out prominently against the backdrop of some honeyed lemon and toasted almond nuances but it all comes together on the seamless, nutty finish. There is excellent upside potential for my grandchildren’s drinking pleasure some day. 92+ points (11/3/05)

1977 Cossart Gordon Terrantez Vintage Madeira – We’ve just crossed the border and entered into a very different level of Madeira with theis fine bottling. Meium caramel color with orange peel, mohagany and salty sea mist aromatics that are fabulous and sexy. Great complexity on the palate even though this is no bruiser, it shows its fine breeding and delineation of fruit and acidity which make for a well-balanced and youthful showing. A fine example of the grape and this finish provides all that is required to make me smile. 94+ points (11/3/05)

1977 Pereira D’Oliveiras Terrantez Vintage Madeira – Depicts a dark tawny color with a yellow rim. Aromatics tend towards antique mahogany; Pekoe tea leaves, toffee and a bit of spirit emerges too. This Terrantez leans considerably towards the dry side of the spectrum while offering a bittersweet nuance on the initial attack. It then delivers an expansive palate infused with bouillon cube and walnut flavors that follow through with a dry, smooth and pleasing finish. 91 points (2/28/03)

Philip Harvey · Post by **Philip Harvey** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 2:45 am

Tom

If you are looking to build up yor collection, see if you can lay your hands on a few bottles of Barbeito's 1981 Verdelho which will still be singing long after you and I have gone. You should pay around £35 per 50cl. Don't hang around though as only 150 six bottle cases were produced last year, and I've bought two of them.

I see from winesearcher.com that Berry Brothers have a six bottles case of imperials (50cls) at around £250 (inc taxes) which is a bit expensive so you may do better to contact Barbeito's UK importer Raymond Reynolds who may point you in the direction of a supplier that still has some stock.

Tom Chadwick · Post by **Tom Chadwick** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 10:10 am

Phillip

Many thanks for the suggestion. I'm sure they will keep but would it be wrong to drink one now?

Do you have any contact details for Mr Reynolds?

quite excited now

Cheers

Philip Harvey · Post by **Philip Harvey** » Tue Oct 31, 2006 1:29 am

Tom

Their website is raymondreynolds.co.uk where you will find the usual contact info. They are a specialist Portugese wine importer but they seem to keep in touch with their retailers and who has stocks of what.

Alternatively, give Glen Mitton at the Wine Press in Carlisle a call. His prices are always reasonable and like me, he is a bit of a Port and Madeira geek. He is happy to put together mixed cases and has a good stock of Barbeito + a few others. Glen's website is winepress.biz. Tell him I sent you.

As for drinking the '81 Verdelho now? You must try one - it's something else. Tasting note below:

Barbeito – 1981 Verdelho
(32.00 x 50cl – 900 bottles in 2005)

27.02.06
Sparklingly bright tawny/amber. Warm bouquet of toffee apple, raisins and a hint of acetone reminiscent of Evostik wood glue. Bright uplifting flavours of caramel, coffee and fresh lemon juice and only just medium dry. Very fresh and clean, it’s hard to believe that this wine has been in cask for 20yrs. Tangy, alive and with masses of grip and bite, this is completely different from the 1980 Verdelho which seems a little flabby by comparison. One for the grandchildren. Excellent.

Enjoy!

Tom Chadwick · Post by **Tom Chadwick** » Tue Oct 31, 2006 4:11 am

Morning Phillip

Thanks for the info and recommendation. I have called and left a message, so hopefully he'll get in contact. He is selling 1978 Secrcial which is my birth year so I'd better grab a btl.

An expensive, for me, hobby.

I am very keen on buying a 6btl wooden case. I have started a cellar of wine for my future drinking and I love receiving new cases and putting them away. Sad I know but there is something special about owning them and thinking of the day when you'll be 'tucking' in.

Best Wishes

Tom

Tom Chadwick · Post by **Tom Chadwick** » Tue Oct 31, 2006 9:53 am

Phillip

I've been offered £33 per 50cl. Do you think this is a good price?

Philip Harvey · Post by **Philip Harvey** » Wed Nov 01, 2006 1:54 am

If it's including all taxes, yes that sounds fine. Don't forget that these will be imperials (ie 50cl) which would equate to around £45 for a 75cl bottle. Barbeito bottled 900 50cls of the 81 Verdelho last year and I think 250 75cl bottles but I haven't seen any of these on the UK market yet.

Philip

idj123 · Post by **idj123** » Mon Nov 06, 2006 3:38 pm

This is an interesting thread as we've recently returned from a week's holiday in Madeira where I 'managed' to do do some tastings at Blandys,Barbeito and Henrique and Henriques.Tasted the '75 Terrantez at Blandys vintage tasting room-superb ! Was told that the prices at their outlet at the airport were identical to the Lodge prices (which they were) so promptly bought a bottle at the airport €78 (£55/$95).Also tasted the '81 Barbeito Verdelho (a healthy measure for only €4.10 !).Again,superb ! Can't remember the price of the bottle (I recall they had both the 50 and 75cl versions) but instead I opted for the slightly cheaper '78 Verdelho.I have to say that the vintage madeira tasted on my trip was an absolute revelation.

Ian

Tom Chadwick · Post by **Tom Chadwick** » Tue Nov 14, 2006 9:25 am

Interesting to see that you have tried these wines and that they are good,

Phillip,

I am expecting a package to arrive on Friday........hopefully 3 btl of '81

many thanks for the help

All the best

Tom

Tom Chadwick · Post by **Tom Chadwick** » Sat Nov 18, 2006 4:09 am

Just tried the Barbeito '81.

Very different from other styles I have tried (limited)

For me the clarity of flavours, crispness and complexity stood out. It seemed extremely tight knit, which to me, having never tasted like this before, would suggest plenty of development and harmonising ahead.

I poured a second glass at lunch time and left until about 6, there was a definite evolution and growth of depth, aromas and complexity. I am away for the weekend and so will try again on Sunday evening. Is this a normal thing to do? It is proving rather interesting to me.

Having done a lot of wine tasting, I am assuming that it is like drinking a clased growth just a little too soon.

Happy drinking

Tom

Philip Harvey · Post by **Philip Harvey** » Wed Nov 22, 2006 9:10 am

Glad you liked the '81 and you're quite right about the crispness which really stands out. I asked Ricardo de Freitas (the winemaker at Barbeito) about this and he said that the '81 spent the first five years of its life in cask at a warehouse with a lower temperature than their usual warehouse and in Ricardo's opinion, this accounts for alot of the freshness found in this particular wine.

Bear in mind that Barbeito do not deacidify or add caramel to any of their wines and this will certainly result in a crisper (I would say fresher) house style than you may may find elsewhere. Its all a matter of personal taste.

As for drinking one now? I think part of the fun of wine is watching its evolution over time and if it tastes this good now, why not?

Philip