TN: 1863 Welsh Brothers Boal Vintage Madeira

[Alan Gardner]

Served blind at a "mystery wines" tasting:

Colour med gold/walnut; green/gold rim and amazingly bright gold highlights in the body of the glass.
Nose: Characteristic volatile acidity - everyone identified as a madeira; background aroma of hazelnuts.
Palate: First impression was of dryness with a really long finish; completely integrated to the point of mellowness, but still some lingering acidity; touch of olive oil in the finish, but although the mouthfeel was full, still finished relatively dry.
Overall, fully mature - no point in holding any longer although by no means falling apart.

I speculated this was a Verdelho from around 1870, so was a little surprised when the bottle was revealed. Clearly an old bottling - maybe 40-50 years based on bottle condition (no IVM strip). Both stencilled and Madeira Wine Company label showing some age-browning.