What Madeira Have You Opened This Week?

[Matt K]

This past Thursday we had another Madeira night at my place. The evenings theme was to compare some of the sub $100 NV options. We were also celebrating the close of the Christie's Online auction that ended that afternoon where I'd scored some cool wines that have me very excited.

The H&H Verdelho 20 Year was easily WOTN. This wine was $100 at Schneider's and now I'm curious to try it vs some young vintage products: only '85 & '86 D'Oliveira and '92 Barbieto play in the same price class (+/- 25% ($75-125)). Not shown is a 1968 Blandy Verdelho that we tried it against at the end - the '68 was simply in another league.

The H&H Terrantez 20 Year also deserves special mention. Delicious, not amazing, doesn't compare to the 70's Terrantez that I've had and I don't yet have the '88 'D'Oliveira in my possession which is the only vintage bottle in the price class - the '77 D'Oliveira starts at $160.

The RWC bottles are all enjoyable beverages but none stood out as a type favorite to any of the 3 of us present (good pallets all but all Madeira amateurs). So far the RWC Jefferson is easily my favorite from the collection (I recently bought a case - that's how much I like it) and I I look forward to trying the Porto Moniz and Stratford Hall bottles that I have en route.

Sorry for the dark photo. Our order was L to R, bottles marked ## were already open -everything else was basically pop/pour:

• RWC Baltimore Rainwater
• RWC Savannah Verdelho
• H&H Verdelho 20 Year
• H&H Terrantez 20 Year
• RWC Mr Madison (primarily 2006 Malmsey, with a small amount of very old Tinta Negra )
• RWC New York Malmsey
• Broadbent 10 Year Malmsey ##
• H&H 10 Year Malmsey ##
• H&H 15 Year Malmsey ##
• Bland 15 Year Malmsey

[Eric Ifune]

1968 D'Oliveira's Boal bottled in 2011.

[Roy Hersh]

I need to let Saturday sink in for a while before drinking any Madeira again.

[Eric Ifune]

I couldn't go cold turkey, hence the 1968.

[Gary Banker]

Did you taste malvasia this year?

[John Trombley]

Having never come across your site before, I was fascinated by the question what Madeira have you opened this week? I am the former Director General of the Madeira Wine Company (13 years in Funchal). I opened my last but one bottle of the Torre Bella Verdelho 1877. Still fresh and crisp with a background of ‘coffee grounds' and honey but with the characteristic ‘apple bite’ and a long lingering finish.

The re-bottling and corking was carried out by hand and supervised by my Production Director, Engo Eduardo Luis Rodrigues, (now deceased), by decanting into a large almude, (a large open jug used to top up casks), Also present were, David Fairlie, who embossed the top wax seal with his crest, Myself and our technician.

What a rare and beatific post for the Madeira lover, David! Have any photos of the process you followed that could be shared with us? Or any biblio or citations?

Best always,

[John Trombley]

Matt: Where did you get PALLETS full of good Madeira? I'm on my way over, even at $100 a bottle!

(Hokay, you found me out. Any pun in a storm!)

[Eric Ifune]

Gary,
Yes, Malvasia. Very nice tasting.
Richard Mayson has his notes up on his website.

[Goncalo Martins]

1971 D'Oliveira's Terrantez

[Matt K]

John, if your a big enough man to except my apologies, I wood appreciate it. I no the difference but two be fare I didn't error check my post. Its an important lessen and it would be grate if the principal posters lead by example and past there hole post or electronic male though a speel chekcer to insure that no lose homophones escape into the desert....the whether can be less than peiceful they're. I hope I have vent board ewe with this explanation. :)

[John Trombley]

[Moses Botbol]

Just started 1988 D'Oliveiras Terrantez. Great stuff

[Gary Banker]

Barbeito Ribeira Real boal
Barbeito Ribeira Real verdelho
1978 Barbeito sercial

[Gary Banker]

1977 D'Oliveira terrantez
1988 D'Oliveira terrantez

[Roy Hersh]

Gary,

I'd love to hear your opinions of these two Terrantez, since you are having them side-by-side.


I needed some Madeira to cook with, well, to add as a garnish to a clam and dungeness crab chowder I was making for dinner guests. So I used a dollop of Broadbent 10 year old Malmsey splashed atop each guest's bowl.

[Gary Banker]

Roy,

The 1977 is richer than the 1988.

The 1988 appears to be the drier and lighter of the two and would be better suited for the beginning of a meal. The 1988 is better when chilled.

[Eric Ifune]

Borges 15 year old Malmsey

[Bradley Bogdan]

1999 Broadbent Colheita

Very nice value wine. Will definitely serve to meet a week night craving for a Madeira fix with no regrets.


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[Frederick Thurber]

A friend opened a 1954 Justino's Verdelho on Monday along with a 10 year Justino's Malmsey

Last weekend we did Blandy's:
Blandy's 5 Year Sercial
Blandy's Alvada
Blandy's 10 Year Malmsey

[Bradley Bogdan]

1999 Broadbent Colheita


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