Madeiras this weekend ...

[Roy Hersh]

I have been drinking two bottlings this weekend and will do formal tasting notes.

The Broadbent Terrantez Old Reserva - a nice bottle with some exotic aromatics and intriguing flavors but modest level of complexity, especially on the palate.

1954 Leacock's Verdelho - reminds me of a Blandy's from the nose and throughout. Really impressive and a lot of fun and before I leave Edmonton tomorrow, I plan to have one last glass. I am not sure what this sells for today, but if under $200 a bottle, grab some!

[Ray Barnes]

Hello Roy,

The Rare Wine Co. does not appear to have the 1954 Leacock's Verdelho in stock, but they do appear to be offering the 1952 Leacock's Verdelho (Silver Jubilee) for $245. Still seems reasonable to me. :)

Thanks for the updates.

Ray

[Roy Hersh]

Hart Davis Hart has this for $120 per bottle a fabulous price considering. I also saw a six pack being offered in Woburn, MA for $180 per, which is still worthy considering my impressions of this bottling.

[Gary Banker]

Roy,

You have my attention. Where in Woburn? I work a few miles down the road.

[Roy Hersh]

Gary,

Please forgive me, I don't know the shop and don't remember its name. I was digging through Google pages looking for the '54 (not the '52) and saw those two prices. Just to be clear, the shop in Woburn was charging $180 per bottle and was selling at that price in conjunction with a six-pack buy.

[Richard Beeken]

Just a supplement/follow-up on these:
Broadbent Terrantez Old Reserve - I echo Roy's comments but have made a point of tracking the evolution of this until I finished the bottle last night. Initially (decanted 9/10 hrs)- light, bright orange/tawny when poured but color deepened signifigantly in 24 hrs., distinctive orange-peel-dominated palate, some nuttiness, sharply acidic, 1-dimensional - palate changed little over the next 24 hrs - 87 pts. At 48 hrs, color unchanged, nose and palate very different, still significant orange, added notes of brown sugar, nuts, molasses, less obtrusive acidity, finish improving - 89 pts. At 3 weeks - color the same but significantly more depth, complexity and length, richer, rounder, citrus quite subtle now, toffee, slightly singed brown sugar, hazelnuts, a touch of salt marsh - mature, well-integrated, tasty stuff - 91 pts.
This Madeira is available here in Edmonton for around $170C - too much. At $100, I'd grab some, decant for 3 weeks, and leisurely consume with pleasure.
Leacock Verdelho 1954 - We tasted this without realizing initially that we'd had this same bottle a year ago also from my cellar - my notes (and scores) were, independently, virtually identical. Lovely, clear, rich amber, complex, distinctive coffee/espresso/mocha, also brown sugar , toffee, mild sweetness, alcohol perfectly integrated, "elegant" comes to mind, excellent length - some roasted nuts, and maybe a touch more depth this year - 93/94 pts.

[Roy Hersh]

I looked back at my TN of this Madeira from a year ago and it was pretty much the same compared to my note this year too. Score was identical. I did like the intensity on the nose this year, maybe a drop more than last year.