Henrique & Henriques Age-Dated Terrantez Wines--What's out there?

[John Trombley]

I was surprised when browsing some British catalogs online when I came across listings for 10, 15, and 20 year old Terrantez from this house. I've seen in this country on CellarTracker only listings for the 20 year old. Are these wines still being produced, given the extreme scarcity of the grape variety? There are also some similar wines listed as being offered by Blandy. How do these wines compare in style with each other? Anyone know the source for the grapes used?

[Andreas Platt]

Hi John!

Their current (2015) price list (incl. of 22% VAT) lies in front of me: the only 3 T's are:

T 20YO (medium dry)...EUR 48,-
T 1976...EUR 205,-
T 1954...EUR 325,-

Cheers

Andy

[Gary Banker]

Hi John!

Their current (2015) price list lies in front of me: the only 3 T's are:

T 20YO (medium dry)...EUR 48,-
T 1956...EUR 205,-
T 1954...EUR 325,-

Cheers

Andy

The H&H website shows only the 20YO, 1954, and 1976.

Are those prices without tax?

Gary

[Andreas Platt]

Hi Gary,

I saw the post, when leaving my home...having almost no time I hurried...looked at the price list...typed...too quickly...and stand corrected...you're of course right.

I already corrected and edited my post.

And: VAT included FYI.

Cheers

Andy

[Andreas Platt]

BTW: I tasted the T 20YO and didn't think it was very typical for T...when I am in the mood for T I want T...but it seems to me that their T's are on the sweeter side...at least I have not experienced any other producer that has a sweeter T than H&H.

Don't get me wrong: the wines are impeccable (especially the Frasqueiras) and I recently bought T '54 myself, but you should be aware of what is awaiting you.

[Eric Ifune]

It could be the companies have some stocks of older wine and are blending newer wines to make these blends of indicated age. For Madeira, all the wine does not have to be as old as the indication, but the final blend must pass the tasting board of the IVBAM. Some of us have actually visited and seen the tasting room and been told the procedures. It looks more work than fun. The tasting panels are a mix of IVBAM personnel and individuals from the various companies. To pass, the blends must meet the criteria set by the IVBAM for the variety and the indication of age.

[John Trombley]

Sort of like age-dated port, where the average age of the blend, volume-adjusted, is at least the age stated? Then, off the blend goes to the tasting panel, and if they approve, the blend is made and bottled? Of course you'd need enough younger Terramtez, which I understand is a difficult commodity to come by, to bring the age into the range desired. So it might actually be tougher to make the younger-aged blends than the older? Just guessing, but the prices I see might argue for that. And if so, they are really relative bargains. Comment?

[Eric Ifune]

I've only had the H&H 20 year old, and while well made, I perfer Terrantez a bit drier. I've not had the Blandy's. Their 1976 is very good.
The difference with Indicated age Madeira and Port is that in Madeira the average age is not important. Only the tasting panel.
The volume of Terrantez has probably doubled or more in the past 5-10 years so there's probably more young wine in cask than 20-30 year old stuff.