Can you think of a worthy $20-30 btl. of Madeira

[Roy Hersh]

A cousin of mine asked for a recommendation on a Madeira in this price range and I can't think of any. So I would truly appreciate your insights for something that is good within that range. Thanks.

[Peter Reutter]

Dear Roy,

I would recommend the VJH Sweet Colheita 1996, it sells in Europe for as low as 18 Euros in some places. And if you can't get that the 10 yo Broadbent or VJH Malmsey is allways a good choice.

[Ray Barnes]

Nothing I would describe as worthy in local British Columbia stores. Although this does not make the cut, the RWC offers a 500ml Barbeito 1997 Single Harvest for $35. I would like to try out that one.

Ray

[Roy Hersh]

The question remains: $20-30.

Broadbent 10 year old Malmsey is usually over $40 save for the recent offering for subscribers where it was offered at a price I have not seen in a few years.

I don't get to try enough 5-15 year olds to know which are the best and which are in the aforementioned price range. My cousin is in NY, so any suggestions in that range would be very much appreciated.

[Peter Reutter]

Uuuups, I thought the 10yo Broadbent Malmsey was cheaper, but given the bad (or good, depends) USD:Euro-ratio, one can get confused :?
So without knowing the exact prices and wether the following wines are available at all, I would like to suggest the 10 yo D'Oliveiras Sweet (TNM) or the HM Borges 10 yo Boal, these are my two favorite wines in the 10 yo range right now. However I admit these two wines might price above the 30$-limit. So in the five yo range I would go with the 5 yo Cossart Boal. And if you like to have it really low-price, then the 3 yo sweet Justino Henriques is a good choice, doesn't matter if its the original VJH or one of the other VJH-brands like Uniao Vinicola etc.
One question remains: why not spend a little more and get a decent 10yo

[Marco D.]

I thought the Cossart Gordon 15Y Bual was pretty tasty for $27... but it is a 500ml bottle.

Available at the Wine Library in New Jersey...

[Eric Ifune]

I like Barbeito's VB, a blend of verdelho and bual.

[Moses Botbol]

Justinho's 5 Year. Any "Rainwater" Madeira will well under $30. Several 10 years are around $30 as well.

[Roy Hersh]

Eric,

I almost forgot about the Barbeito's VB. I am sure you bought in when I did ... $25 was a heck of a price, even for 500 ml. I like the tangy style of that wine, a really dry and light bodied Madeira ... much more Verdelho like than Bual. I thought this was sold out long ago. Maybe I'll just send him a bottle of this and the Broadbent to enjoy.