TN: Henriques & Henriques Inauguration Wine

[Marco D.]

Intense nose of caramel, nut skin, coffee and dried fruits. Noticable VA, but not to the point of distraction. Similar flavors cascade on the palate, with a wonderful searing kick of acidity... like sucking on a lime. Appears to be Verdelho-like in profile. Very lengthy on the palate; the elevated acidity level continually made me smack my lips and water my mouth; quite an electric experience. In fact, my mouth is watering right now (in a pavlovian response?) as I write this tasting note. Delicious.

[Gary Banker]

Marco,

Did you decant the wine? I have a bottle and getting a vicarious taste through your TN will help me put off opening it.

Gary

[Marco D.]

I've been drinking this over 3 days now. A bit better on the second day... but overall nothing much in terms of development. Perhaps because it was bottled so recently?

[Roy Hersh]

Sorry to sound ignorant, but what is this wine. How old etc. and from what grape?

[Marco D.]

Sorry to sound ignorant, but what is this wine. How old etc. and from what grape?

This wine was originally bottled in 1994 to celebrate the inauguration of H+H's new winemaking facilities. A new batch of the remaining stock was rebottled in 2006. The construct of the wine is a bit of a mystery. It was made by Peter Cossart in the 1950s and it is "probably" a Verdelho from a south-side vineyard. You can read more about it in the RWC newsletter from 3/20/2007... page 5 (I'm surprised you missed it):
http://www.rarewineco.com/downloads/new ... -20-07.pdf

I had another chilled glass last night, and I think it might even be getting better. The newsletter described it as having "freight-train acidity"... they're not kidding. Gorgeous stuff.

[Eric Ifune]

Yes, I missed out on that one. I was late in calling and they were sold out by then.

[Roy Hersh]

Thanks Marco!

[Marco D.]

I just finished my last glass of this over the weekend. Having spent several days with this wine, I have to admit this was a serious bottle of Madeira. Too bad RWC is sold out. If anybody sees this available again please let me know.

I am curious as to whether H+H still has any left maturing in cask.

[Peter Reutter]

as far as i know, the wine is still available directly from the company in very small quantities. probably best to contact Maria de Luz Aguiar at marketing@henriquesehenriques.pt

[Gary Banker]

I just bought a bottle (1908 bottling) of this from RWC. Has anyone else tried it lately? RWC seems to have plenty to sell, as they were willing to sell up to a case. Now that I have two bottles, I think it's time to try one. I'm curious about whether anyone has more experience with decanting time.