1985 Blandy's Malmsey

[Joe Dachille]

Being in the Madeira desert of central Florida, I had the rare occasion to locate a vintage bottle, due to be received this Friday.

Can anyone provide information or tasting notes for the 1985 Blandy's Malmsey?

The Madeira Wine Guide vintage list is obviously out of date; this vintage is not listed; the last vintage was 1982, I believe.

Joe D'Achille
Melbourne, Florida

[Gary Banker]

I haven't seen it, but from Blandy's web site: http://www.blandys.com/section.php?id=1036

GRAPE VARIETIES
Malmsey

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
Blandy’s Vintage Malmsey 1985 is a single harvest Madeira. This wine was aged for 24 years in seasoned American oak casks in the traditional ‘Canteiro’ system, whereby the casks were gradually transferred from the top floors of the lodge, where it is naturally warmer, to the middle floors and eventually to the ground floor where it is cooler. The wine was regularly racked and when it reached the desired stage of maturity it was bottled. Only 1,420 bottles of this wine were released.

BOTTLING YEAR
2009

SPECIFICATION
Alcohol by Volume: 20%
Volatile Acidity: 1.08 g/l
Total Acidity: 8.47 g/l
pH: 3.51
Baumé (20ºC): 4.70
Reducing Sugar: 117.9 g/l E
xtract Content (excluding sugar): 29.4 g/l

TASTING NOTES
Clear, amber colour with golden highlights. Characteristic Madeira bouquet with notes of wood, dried fruits and toffee. Smooth, full-bodied and sweet, with a long warm aftertaste with notes of oak.

[Joe Dachille]

Thanks for the info, Gary. I will try to check out the Blandy's site more often.

I usually wind up with a D'Oliveras or Barbeito, but it is very hard to pass up an oppoortunity in my neck of the woods.

Joe D'Achille
Melbourne, Florida

[Niklas J]

Hi Joe,

I had it just a few weeks ago, at the Blandy's Lodge in Funchal. I had it last year as well and was then just a bit more impressed. But still, if the price is good I would not hesitate! Here's my last TN, from September:

1985 Malmsey Vintage, Blandy’s (91-92 p)

A small harvest for Malmsey, in total contrast to the 1994 yields. The 1985 aged 24 years in 650 liters seasoned American oak, before being bottled. It’s the second time I’m having this one. Lots of things going on here; milk chocolate, wet leather, burnt sugar, brandy and wood. Elegant and managing to balance the concentrated bouquet. On the palate the real wow feeling arrives. Despite 120 grams of residual sugar, the acidity kick keeps control of what’s happening. Intense taste with orange peel, dried fruits,
roasted nuts, ground coffee and a perfumed note, reminding me of a discrete Moscatel. Long finish. 1,420 bottles made.

All the best,

Niklas

[Joe Dachille]

It's in my hands (my wine cabinet actually)!

My usual complaint (aka, a vintage whine), is that central Florida is a Madeira wine desert.

I found a local liquor store that was willing to scour the Madeira hinterlands and find distributors with some Madeira in stock. The fella found some and I pick the Blandy's 1985 malmsey, mostly with the intent of broadening my Madeira experience. He quoted me a price, plus his markup, plus tax totalling $130 appx. I thought the price was good so I placed the order.

I got the call from the store yesterday notifying me that the bottle arrived. Coincidentally, I received an email for a Blandy's Maderia wine tasting for that night at the purveyor in Ft. Lauderdale that I have frequented before. Obviously, the tasting was not to be due to the late notice, but he listed the 1985 at $225 on sale for $198.

When I went to pick up the bottle, the owner of the store, not the fella who did the research, rang up the sale - $175!. I stated that I had been quoted $130 appx. and showed his business card where I had written the appx. price. I really do not know how the mixup occurred or whether the store took a loss, but the final sale price was $137.80. So I think I got a pretty good deal.

This establishment has certainly earned my goodwill and I will bring more Madeira and spirits business their way!

I have reviewed others comments and greatly anticipate opening the bottle around the holidays.

Joe D'Achille
Melbourne, Florida

[Joe Dachille]

UPDATE:
I had been waiting for a special occasion to open this bottle. The opportunity arose when inviting friends for a long-overdue dinner. Special friends on a special occasion...their wedding anniversary. Special friends for a special occasion with a special dinner...my wife and I would put together a Moroccan feast! I have written before about serving Madeira with Moroccan/middle eastern desserts...the nutty desserts are complemented by the wine.

I won't go though the entire menu, but the final course was a truffle made of chopped dates/apples/almonds with ground ginger and rolled in cinnamon. The sweet elements were balanced by the sharp ginger and savory cinnamon.

The Madeira was an excellent conclusion to the meal. Not as sweet as other malmseys I have had...a long finish for such a young wine...flavor profile of nuts and citrus.

BTW, this friend brought a beautiful decanter for me while visiting Turkey...I ALWAYS use it for my Madeira!

Joe D'Achille
Melbourne FL

[Joe Dachille]

Just displaying the special decanter and a moroccan tajine.

[Bradley Bogdan]

That is an absolutely rocking decanter!

[Joe Dachille]

Thanks Bradley and I agree! Better still, there are six matching cordial style wine glasses.