Hi guys,
I'm a complete novice in madeira from the beautiful yorkshire dales in England (Skipton if anybody knows it) and have just purchased a bottle of Blandy's Malmsey Solera 1808 at auction, amongst other bottles (such as a gorgeous bottle of 71 lafite).
I have been tempted to open it but decided to investigate further and amongst others found your fantastic site.
Having no expertise I thought I'd ask the experts. If anybody could give me any advise I would be very grateful - is it worth keeping, should I sell, is anybody interested ?
I have an email (keith@ndl.co.uk) and can supply images if anybody is interested.
Malmsey Blandy's Solera - 1808
Moderators: Glenn E., Roy Hersh, Andy Velebil
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Dave Buttimore
- Posts: 4
- Joined: Sun Dec 03, 2006 11:31 am
- Location: nr. Reading, Berkshire, UK
Hello Keith,
I have a single bottle of this as well. I'd be interested to know which auction you got it at and how much you paid.
I was fortunate with mine, and got it on eBay of all places for about 70 quid! :)
I have seen this on one wine list for approx £400+vat or so.
In Michael Broadbent's Vintage Wine book he states that 1808 is a 5/5 vintage and that the Malmsey Solera is the 'best ever known' according to Noel Cossart.
Cheers, Dave.
I have a single bottle of this as well. I'd be interested to know which auction you got it at and how much you paid.
I was fortunate with mine, and got it on eBay of all places for about 70 quid! :)
I have seen this on one wine list for approx £400+vat or so.
In Michael Broadbent's Vintage Wine book he states that 1808 is a 5/5 vintage and that the Malmsey Solera is the 'best ever known' according to Noel Cossart.
Cheers, Dave.
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Tom Archer
- Posts: 2790
- Joined: Tue Aug 09, 2005 8:09 pm
- Location: Near Saffron Walden, England
Broadbent is a little confusing here...
1808 was a great vintage (he says)
- but he then goes on to describe the 1808 solera, which will have been started in 1808, but after two centuries of abstraction and refreshment, will contain barely a trace of the original wine.
Does your bottle have a bottling date?
Tom
1808 was a great vintage (he says)
- but he then goes on to describe the 1808 solera, which will have been started in 1808, but after two centuries of abstraction and refreshment, will contain barely a trace of the original wine.
Does your bottle have a bottling date?
Tom
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*urcoder
Thanks for the replies,
There isn't a bottling date and it has a "proper" label rather than stencilled lettering, is that normal ?
I thought there was a strict limit on how much they could take from a solera. Might be mistaken but I'm sure I read somewhere that there should be a minumum (30% ?) of the original wine left at the very last bottling ?
I'm not sure now what to do with it, having read it might be worth so much. I have two late teenage children and it would be heart breaking if they "borrowed" it while we are away. If I decided to sell should I contact one of the fine wine dealers or would any of you guys be interested ?
p.s I'd rather not say how much I paid - the wife might be reading :) but it certainly wasn't that extortionate - £70 from ebay, good deal
.
There isn't a bottling date and it has a "proper" label rather than stencilled lettering, is that normal ?
I thought there was a strict limit on how much they could take from a solera. Might be mistaken but I'm sure I read somewhere that there should be a minumum (30% ?) of the original wine left at the very last bottling ?
I'm not sure now what to do with it, having read it might be worth so much. I have two late teenage children and it would be heart breaking if they "borrowed" it while we are away. If I decided to sell should I contact one of the fine wine dealers or would any of you guys be interested ?
p.s I'd rather not say how much I paid - the wife might be reading :) but it certainly wasn't that extortionate - £70 from ebay, good deal
.
Keith had been in touch with me privately and I coaxed him to join the site so you Madeira fan(atics) could supply some insight and let him know the going market on his bottle which from what I know of it, is one heck of a Madeira.
Keith, this is from a Madeira loving friend:
"I can't be sure about this. Cossart's 1808 Malmsey Solera is famous, and I know of the wine appearing under a couple of other labels, but not Blandy's. It's possibly the same as the Cossart or maybe not. Can they send a photo?"
Email it to me if possible and I will forward it on and obtain more information for you!
Keith, this is from a Madeira loving friend:
"I can't be sure about this. Cossart's 1808 Malmsey Solera is famous, and I know of the wine appearing under a couple of other labels, but not Blandy's. It's possibly the same as the Cossart or maybe not. Can they send a photo?"
Email it to me if possible and I will forward it on and obtain more information for you!
Ambition driven by passion, rather than money, is as strong an elixir as is Port. http://www.fortheloveofport.com
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*urcoder
Thanks Roy,
I've sent an image but thought I'd post a picture here.
Nobody has got back to me to indicate how much of the original vintage will be left - anybody know?
Any suggestions on whether I should keep the bottle or sell ?
If anybody is interested in purchasing the bottle then please email, post to the forum, or visit in person if you wish.
I've sent an image but thought I'd post a picture here.
Nobody has got back to me to indicate how much of the original vintage will be left - anybody know?
Any suggestions on whether I should keep the bottle or sell ?
If anybody is interested in purchasing the bottle then please email, post to the forum, or visit in person if you wish.
Keith
Welcome to the forum and with such an interesting question too. Sadly, I can't answer your question on the minimum wine that has to be left in a madeira solera when the last bottle is drawn, but I will be extremely interested in the answer. My assumption was that there was a maximum volume you could draw out in any one year but that there was no limit to the number of years you could run the solera and keep topping up.
Can I suggest that you post the question on the madeira forum? The folks there seem to have a real good knowledge of the details of madeira practice and may well be able to answer your question better than most people who read the marketplace.
Alex
PS - I keep my special bottles locked away from my teenage children. If you can afford to keep the wine and drink it yourself, why not spoil yourself with something special to finish the meal when you drink your Lafite '71?
Welcome to the forum and with such an interesting question too. Sadly, I can't answer your question on the minimum wine that has to be left in a madeira solera when the last bottle is drawn, but I will be extremely interested in the answer. My assumption was that there was a maximum volume you could draw out in any one year but that there was no limit to the number of years you could run the solera and keep topping up.
Can I suggest that you post the question on the madeira forum? The folks there seem to have a real good knowledge of the details of madeira practice and may well be able to answer your question better than most people who read the marketplace.
Alex
PS - I keep my special bottles locked away from my teenage children. If you can afford to keep the wine and drink it yourself, why not spoil yourself with something special to finish the meal when you drink your Lafite '71?
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*urcoder
Thanks Alex,
I will pose my question on the other forum.
Another question (sorry, the reason I'm into software and antiques is a love of finding out about things) can anybody tell the approximate bottling age by looking at the bottle ?
I wish I had somewhere to lock them up (bottles not children, hmm now there's a thought :) ).
I like the idea of treating myself; I don't know whether I will ever dare open it though.
I will pose my question on the other forum.
Another question (sorry, the reason I'm into software and antiques is a love of finding out about things) can anybody tell the approximate bottling age by looking at the bottle ?
I wish I had somewhere to lock them up (bottles not children, hmm now there's a thought :) ).
I like the idea of treating myself; I don't know whether I will ever dare open it though.
Keith,
Nobody on these forums minds asking or answering questions. I have learnt so much over the last couple of years and hope that I will continue to learn.
I'm not particularly familiar with madeira bottles, but the bottle shape and quality of the glass would lead me to guess that it was in the late 50's or early 60's that this particular bottling was made. Can you read what the neck label says or the wording on the capsule? These may give more clues as to the bottling date.
Alex
Nobody on these forums minds asking or answering questions. I have learnt so much over the last couple of years and hope that I will continue to learn.
I'm not particularly familiar with madeira bottles, but the bottle shape and quality of the glass would lead me to guess that it was in the late 50's or early 60's that this particular bottling was made. Can you read what the neck label says or the wording on the capsule? These may give more clues as to the bottling date.
Alex
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Guest
Join an offline
Another option would be to bring your bottle to a Madeira offline.
An "offline" is a wine tasting usually organized in online forums like this one. They are usually "themed" - either type of wine, producer, varietal, etc. They are often held at restaurants, where each participant brings a bottle of the themed wine and pays for their dinner (which has usually been designed to compliment the wine). I've been to some amazing offlines, including one here in Seattle that had Madeiras ranging from 1827 to 1940.
If I were in possession of a great bottle of Madeira and decided that I was going to consume it, I'd be tempted to find a similar Madeira offline so that 1) other madeira fans/fanatics could also enjoy it and 2) so that I could get to try other old bottles of madeira.
It's was incredibly enjoyable and educational to sit and taste 17 bottles of Madeira that old and compare, contrast and discuss with others who knew a thing or two about Madeira.
Stewart
An "offline" is a wine tasting usually organized in online forums like this one. They are usually "themed" - either type of wine, producer, varietal, etc. They are often held at restaurants, where each participant brings a bottle of the themed wine and pays for their dinner (which has usually been designed to compliment the wine). I've been to some amazing offlines, including one here in Seattle that had Madeiras ranging from 1827 to 1940.
If I were in possession of a great bottle of Madeira and decided that I was going to consume it, I'd be tempted to find a similar Madeira offline so that 1) other madeira fans/fanatics could also enjoy it and 2) so that I could get to try other old bottles of madeira.
It's was incredibly enjoyable and educational to sit and taste 17 bottles of Madeira that old and compare, contrast and discuss with others who knew a thing or two about Madeira.
Stewart
Keith,
A Madeira loving friend wrote me:
If you are interested in selling, email me and I will put you in touch.
Thanks!
Roy
A Madeira loving friend wrote me:
Dear Roy, Thanks. It's a London bottling, very possibly from Cossart's solera after they joined the Madeira Wine Association, although that's just conjecture. If it is the same solera (which was established in 1870s and not topped off after 1953) it should be great. You noted that it might be for sale; if so, and you're not going to buy it yourself, I would.
If you are interested in selling, email me and I will put you in touch.
Thanks!
Roy
Ambition driven by passion, rather than money, is as strong an elixir as is Port. http://www.fortheloveofport.com
Look what I found ....
1808 Blandy Bros. Malmsey (Solera) Madeira
Reviewed by Roy Hersh
Not a Vintage Madeira, but made in the time honored and traditional Solera method. Also from this vintage, the legendary Cossart-Gordon 1808 Solera is not easy to find, but has received glowing comments and write ups. I have not had that one yet, but this Blandy's version was pretty spectacular
. Iced tea color with orange/yellow rim, very smoky essence with a roasted espresso and overcooked, if not charred caramel note along with a hint of nutmeg spice. I would absolutely love to spend a night or two with a bottle of this Malmsey someday. The laser focused Madeira here conveys intense and intricately woven flavors of bittersweet chocolate, coffee and molasses which are bolstered by tangy acidity. Seamless, smooth and mouth coating with a very soft and seductive texture. I am running out of superlatives, yet this wine finishes like a refined, epic novel. 96 points (10/24/2004)
1808 Blandy Bros. Malmsey (Solera) Madeira
Reviewed by Roy Hersh
Not a Vintage Madeira, but made in the time honored and traditional Solera method. Also from this vintage, the legendary Cossart-Gordon 1808 Solera is not easy to find, but has received glowing comments and write ups. I have not had that one yet, but this Blandy's version was pretty spectacular
. Iced tea color with orange/yellow rim, very smoky essence with a roasted espresso and overcooked, if not charred caramel note along with a hint of nutmeg spice. I would absolutely love to spend a night or two with a bottle of this Malmsey someday. The laser focused Madeira here conveys intense and intricately woven flavors of bittersweet chocolate, coffee and molasses which are bolstered by tangy acidity. Seamless, smooth and mouth coating with a very soft and seductive texture. I am running out of superlatives, yet this wine finishes like a refined, epic novel. 96 points (10/24/2004)
Ambition driven by passion, rather than money, is as strong an elixir as is Port. http://www.fortheloveofport.com
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Dave Buttimore
- Posts: 4
- Joined: Sun Dec 03, 2006 11:31 am
- Location: nr. Reading, Berkshire, UK
Gents,
Regarding the picture of the bottle, on my bottle the main label is the same, but on the neck there is a small label with "33" on it - the type face is similar to the main label and looks like it was added at the same time. This is from memory as the bottle isn't to hand at the moment. Is it possible this refers to the bottling year?
Cheers, Dave.
Regarding the picture of the bottle, on my bottle the main label is the same, but on the neck there is a small label with "33" on it - the type face is similar to the main label and looks like it was added at the same time. This is from memory as the bottle isn't to hand at the moment. Is it possible this refers to the bottling year?
Cheers, Dave.