TN: 1937 D'Oliveiras Sercial Vintage Madeira

[Joe Dachille]

On an earlier thread, I mentioned I recently purchased a 1937 D'Olivera Sercial. I had an opportunity before the purchase to view earlier tasting notes posted on this forum and checked other sources on the web. I have not had the opportunity to sample a vintage sercial, so I hoped this would be a rewarding experience.

A. Liddell's notes were,"Dark tawny with orange-gold highlights; pungent and characteristic bouquet with hints of fudge, varnish, and strong acidity; explosive fullness on palate, big but rounded, with an astringent, very long finish; totally dry, with a deliciously lingering fudge flavour. * * * "

Since I am not an experienced serial drinker, I can only echo most of the comments above. Gold highlights. Pungent, defintiely. Varnish aroma evolved into a definite fudge aroma after an hour. Strong acidity, but seems typical of the grape. Big, but not as big as boal. I would say balanced, not rounded. Nice finish, though not very long. I found the wine very refreshing.

I will post additional notes as the wine breathes and I can enjoy more at several later dates.

Any other comments on this vintage D'Olivera?

Joe D'Achille
Orlando, Florida
4/29/09

[Marco D.]

Thanks for the note, Joe. Out of curiosity, did the label mention the bottling date?

[Joe Dachille]

The bottling date was 2007. The wine was released, presumably, to capitalize on the "0" in "70", but I am, like many, charmed by the fact that this fine specimen lazed around in a wood cask in the warm Atlantic climate for seventy years, growing elegant and well-defined. Us humans certainly do not age as well.

DAY 2: Had a small glass as a nightcap, working concientiously to assess this wine. Pungent bouquet, quite; much longer finish. The wine, fudge aroma in particular, made a nice nightcap.

[Roy Hersh]

Hi Joe,

THanks for your impressions. Did you feel that there had been an improvement as this received more air time by the 2nd day?

[Joe Dachille]

As impressive as the wine was on both occasions, it did evolve some by DAY 2. The "varnish" quality commented by Liddell did mellow noticably.

DAY 3: Was going out last night with friends for a Moroccan feast. They are dedicated red wine drinkers. I offered them the opportunity to try the sercial, commenting that I would be quite dry compared to the n/v blend that I had brought to an office party some months ago. Both individuals commented on the "brightness" of the wine (my words). One friend did comment that the wine was refreshing (as I posted originally). I noticed the acidity seemed to lessen (probably my growing accustomed to the taste). The wine, perhaps, is evolving from the "sip-at-a-time" to "let's-drink" category.



Joe D'Achille
Orlando

[Joe Dachille]

I shared the sercial with a couple of friends (doing my best to spread the madeira gospel). They were quite pleased with the drier aspects and the chocolate aroma. I had recently (6 months ago) shared a 1929 Barbeito Verdehlo with them and they expressed a preference for the sweeter wine.

DAY 6: Drier elements definitely mellowing (or at least my perception of them).

I need to get some suggestions for food/cheese accompaniments. Please help.

Joe D'Achille
Orlando, Florida

[Joe Dachille]

June 19, 2009

On April 29th (and thereafter), I posted tasting notes on the 1937 D'Olivera's Sercial that I happened upon at a wine merchant here in Orlando that was selling off his private stock (several hundred bottles, but only two madeiras). See the "To buy or not to buy..." thread.

Since then, a dear friend of mine returned from Turkey with a special gift for me, a decanter and six glasses - quite beautiful.

decanter small.jpg (39.27 KiB) Viewed 812 times

to Michelle.

Since then, the remaining madeira has dwindled. Today, I poured the last glass and duly report the final tasting notes:
Fudge aroma quite prominent; tangy, yet delicious on the front side; a developed roundness in the middle; longer, dry finish that is very refreshing.

Quite worthy of the 3 *** by A. Liddell (I am not experienced enough to score out points yet). Price was $250 US, what I believed to be market price, and was worth the price.

The 1922 D'Olivera's Boal (that was purchased with the 1937) and a 1908 D'Olivera's Bual remain in the wine cabinet. For now, I am enjoying the n/v Broadbent 10 year Malmsey.

Joe D'Achille
Orlando