TN: N.V. Rare Wine Company Madeira New Orleans Special Reserve -- Vinhos Barbeito

[Marco D.]

• N.V. Rare Wine Co. (Vinhos Barbeito) Madeira Historic Series New Orleans Special Reserve - Portugal, Madeira (2/15/2011)
  This is the 2010 bottling. Popped and poured. Inviting nose of bitter nutskin, honey and floral scents. Excellent attack, with burnt sugar, fruit cake and assorted nut flavors. The acidity is quite good, more than I would have expected given that some Malvasia (from Faja dos Padres) was blended in. Very tangy and mouth-watering, with above average length. While perhaps the depth here is a notch below the first release (which would be a hard act to follow), this was quite enjoyable and showed excellent intensity. For $50 (purchased as a two-bottle "New Orleans/Savannah" sampler set for $99), this was well worth the cost. (91 pts.)