What Madeira Have You Opened This Week?

[Andreas Platt]

Update:

"Companhia Regional de Exportacão de Vinhos Da Madeira" was part of Justino's.

[Eric Ifune]

Thanks Andy! Definitely Adega.
I was quite surprised how good it is.
Roy, don't remember when but it was part of a larger auction lot of old Malvasia/Malmsey. Likely more than 10 years ago. No selo on the bottle.

[Eric Ifune]

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[Roy Hersh]

Jim S. wrote:

1988 D’Oliveiras Terrantez (btl'd 2012)
1977 D’Oliveiras Terrantez (btl'd 2014)
1971 D’Oliveiras Terrantez (btl'd 2013)

I like all 3 and had them all in November and again in December of 2024:

A quick question for you, which was your favorite and why?

[Roy Hersh]

Opened and consumed a half of the 750 ml so far, of 1978 Justino's Terrantez, and am glad I have a bunch more. It is better than the 1978 Terrantez that I also have quite a few of, but I do really like that D'Oliveiras bottling as well. Justino's provides a drier impression and is slightly more edgy in a way that I like.

[Jim S.]

Jim S. wrote:

1988 D’Oliveiras Terrantez (btl'd 2012)
1977 D’Oliveiras Terrantez (btl'd 2014)
1971 D’Oliveiras Terrantez (btl'd 2013)

I like all 3 and had them all in November and again in December of 2024:

A quick question for you, which was your favorite and why?

I looked back at my notes- of these three, I liked the 1971 best, followed by the 1977, and finally by the 1988. The 1971 had the most body and the richest finish. This particular bottle had some pine sap on the nose and palate. I don't remember that in previous bottles that I enjoyed even more. As the 1971 sat in the glass, some of that dissipated, and that drying Terrantez finish became more apparent-everything fell into place.
The 1977 wasn't quite as dense, but exhibited more filigree; very pretty, with more marzipan, but not as much power. The 1988 was light and beautifully balanced- a little more towards sweet. It was a pleasant enough bit of fluff compared to the other bottles. It could really use another decade, or preferably two, in cask. My thoughts on these bottles were not completely in agreement with the wine group. We ranked these 9 bottles from 1 to 9, where 1 represented the favorite. Here are the rankings:
My Rank Group Rank
1988 "9" "7"
1977 "7" "6"
1971 "6" "9"

I'll retaste them this weekend, and give you an update.

[Jim S.]

I retasted the 1988, 1977, and 1971. I now agree with the tasting group members.
The 1971 showed miserably, and must be a defective bottle- it had distinct notes of Pinesol, especially on the nose, and the finish was extremely short and bitter.
The 1988 was lighter than the others, but had put on a good amount of weight. It had a beautiful mouthfeel and almonds coming through on the nose and palate. Very nice.
The 1977 was the clear winner. This was an intoxicating beauty- ethereal nose of creme brulee and walnuts, with lime in the background.
Again, based on previous experience, the 1971 bottle was defective. I'll have to dig out another bottle for a true comparison of the two vintages.

[Al B.]

Another bottle of the 1964 Justino VJH Bual that Christie’s sold in huge quantities a couple of years back. Very tasty, as always.

[Roy Hersh]

I opened another Justino's 1978 Terrantez. It is very rare that I open two of the same bottles within a month or two. But, my friend specifically wanted to try Madeira and it was the first bottle I grabbed, so there it was. Wonderful.

[Eric Ifune]

1908 Leacocks Bual AO-SM.
Tasting note to follow

[Eric Ifune]

Barbeito 30 year old Verdelho Dueto. Blended with Susana Estaban.

[Roy Hersh]

For the last bottle served at my buddy Ryan Opaz' 50th BD party celebration last night, right after the 1974 Barros "Carnation" Colheita bottle, which I brought and opened way late in the night, the 1978 D'Oliveiras Terrantez was opened next. I need to do a side by side with the Justino's at some point, but this one seemed to be slightly higher in RS, or at least a bit lower in total acidity. That said, it was a great wine to share with this group, but it was around 1:30 in the morning when we got to this bottle and it went pretty fast. I got a good pour upfront, as I knew I'd never get a second one. But it was a LOT of fun to see how much everyone enjoyed this wine. Afterall, that's what it is for.

[Roy Hersh]

Jim S. wrote:

I retasted the 1988, 1977, and 1971. I now agree with the tasting group members.
The 1971 showed miserably, and must be a defective bottle- it had distinct notes of Pinesol, especially on the nose, and the finish was extremely short and bitter.

That is very odd. I've never heard of that wine with any issue and have had it a LOT. Thanks for posting your updated tasting Jim. Glad you still have a bunch of bottles left in your possession!

From your description of the 1971, I can't begin to figure out what that could be from. Strange indeed.

[Eric Ifune]

Barbeito 40 year old Malvasia Vinhos do Reitor.

[Le Gamin de Paris]

Blandy's 1987 Terrantez, very tasty indeed

[Eric Menchen]

1996 Justino's Madeira Boal Colheita
One of my favorites when visiting there last December, and a great QPR.

[Frederick Blais]

Barbeito 2011 Tinta Negra is simply fantastic, around 35 euros for 500ml, it is a no brainer!
Had 2005 Bual too, was nice but I think the Tinta Negra left a better impression which rarely occurs.
1978 Terrentez from D'Oliveras is always having a sweet spot for me.

I opened these with a friend who does not like wine much, who was not supposed to drink much... you understand that now she is converted to Madeira and she even spent 200 euros on a bottle, something she would never do! It was interesting to withness!