Yippie !! I won the 1875 Malvesia Reserva Barbeito!!

[Jay Hack]

The pre-story: Having failed to buy the post-1960 complete verticle of Nacional (two of us together bid $7,000 plus premium but some SOB bid $8,000 so we let it go), I'm baaaaaaaack. This month it's three bottles of 1875 Malvesia Barbeito. Something about buying a wine that was fermented before my grandparents were born, when U.S. Grant was President, piques my interest. What's it worth and does anyone want to split the lot? I have sworn off buying wine and I passed on my Colgin allocation, but an 1875 Madeira for the cost of a bottle of Colgin seems like a good deal. And if one of you guys decides to come in over the top and steal the lot, just remember that no one has bid on it yet and my wife does criminal defense work for people you do not want to meet in a dark alley.

The post script: I won. See details below.

[Gary Banker]

It's $575 from Rare Wine Company. And it's in stock.

[Jay Hack]

It's $575 from Rare Wine Company. And it's in stock.

Yes, I had noticed that but I did not know if it was a reasonable price. That means 3 bottles for $600 (the minimum bid) plus 21% auctioneer's vig is a good deal. Anyone interested in a bottle? Or we could get 8 people together in NY at $40 each and split a bottle 8 ways over dinner; I would take one of the other bottles for myself, and if no one wants the third one, I would take that also. $40 for a 3 ounce pour of an 1875 Madeira! Sounds like a steal to me.

[Gary Banker]

The Christie's catalog for 12 November has a $400-$600 per bottle estimate. Are you planning to submit a minimum bid?

[Jay Hack]

The Christie's catalog for 12 November has a $400-$600 per bottle estimate. Are you planning to submit a minimum bid?

I put in a bid and a maximum in case I get outbid. My wife will not be thrilled because just this morning she said we have no more room and can't even find what we own because it is piled up all over the place, but like I said . . . wine that was fermented when US grant was President and in the first year that they ran the Kentucky Derby. I have ideas on what to do with two of the bottles but the third one is up in the air.

[Moses Botbol]

If you want to plan a Madeira and Port dinner in NY, Elys and I would consider coming down. We would pay for our portion for the Madeira and/or bring some additional Port or Madeira. Pretty flexible... Good luck on your bid.

[Roy Hersh]

The Barbeito 1875 is a solid effort and a good wine. I have it in the cellar too. That said, the identical wine/grape/vintage produced by D'Oliveiras is in an entirely higher class, imo. I am sure it is probably more expensive too, but having had them side-by-side to compare, it is no contest. That said, I wish you lots of luck in winning the bid, Jay. However, if you don't wind up winning it ... maybe seek out the D'Oliveiras version for something outstanding.

Anyone else try these in a dueling comparison?

[Jay Hack]

The post script: I won! I won! The Jets pulled a win out of thin air today amd I won 3 bottles of 1875 Madeira. I know it's not the D'Oliveras, but that wasn't on the auctin list. Three bottles for $340 each including commission. More than I had hoped to pay, but the historical significance of owning, and more important drinking, a bottle of wine made from grapes that were grown when Ulysses Simpson Grant was President of the United States! Wine from grapes grown before my grandparents were born. WIne grown in the year of the running of the first Kentucky Derby. 'Nuf said.

Now I have to figure out how to decant it and all that. Do you think it's ready to drink? Do I need to cellar it for a few years?

[David Spriggs]

Nice! Congratulations!!
-Dave-

[Eric Ifune]

Congrats!
Ready to drink now.
Madeira loves lots of air, so I would decant this at least 24-48 hours before you plan on drinking. I just pour through a couple layers of clean cheesecloth into any suitable vessel. If you don't drink the bottle up at once, you can decant back into the original bottle and recork. That way you can enjoy a glass every now and again. Will stay good for months if not years.

[Roy Hersh]

That is a very solid price for the 1875s Jay. You did not over pay for them. I think you can open one for the next time you have people over that will appreciate what you have there. On its own, or after several fine bottles ... I think you will love this Madeira. Please post notes when you try one. What was the year of bottling, does it say on the label?