TN: 1912 D'Oliveiras Verdelho Vintage Madeira

[Eric Ifune]

Opened for Mother's Day. A few weeks late for the Titanic 100 year anniversary.
I've noticed at least two bottlings for this. One with a slightly taller bottle and dark brown wax, another with black wax. Identical stenciling. Unfortunately the bottling dates are not listed. This is from the taller, brown wax bottle.
Popped and poured. Dark amber with olive oil rim.
Very rich and intense aromatics of caramel, meyer lemon, walnuts. Just a hint of VA for lift.
A bit leaner on the palate. A dry style of Verdelho. Lemons, limes with a rich, long finish.
Very fine. Hard not to compare with the Fernandez Brothers Over 40 year old. Similar in style.
I'll give this a couple of days of aeration before deciding which I like better.

[Eric Ifune]

After a day and a half of aeration, this has put on weight and richness on the palate. Still the same wonderful aromatics.
I'm going back and forth which I prefer, this or the Fernandez Brothers. At the moment, I'm leaning towards the 1912 D'Oliveria.

[Roy Hersh]

Eric,

For me, the 1912 (Brown wax) D'Oliveiras Verdelho has a dry entry but after the initial approach there is significantly more sweetness than the Fernandez Bros. bottling. Love both and I would have to have them side-by-side blind to come up with the proper conclusion. But they're both pretty different, so why the need to choose at all? from having had them both so many times ... I'd guess at the 1912 as being overall more intriguing, but the acidity on the Fernandes Bros. bottling does make a case for that one too. Nonetheless, I look forward to your choice between them.

[Eric Ifune]

Roy,
You're right, no need to choose; if you have bottles of each!
I love the acidity of the Fernandez Brothers; and I love the aromatics of the D'Oliveria.
I guess my motive in comparing the two is showing how great the Fernandez wine is, since the high quality of the 1912 Verdelho is well recognized.
Hoping to get more in June!

[Roy Hersh]

No argument there.


BTW, when you have a moment, I'd appreciate it if you'd email me your impressions of the itinerary, Eric.

[John Vachon]

Eric:

I agree and I know you are a big time VM guy have you ever tried the Barbeito 1902

Verdelho-my favorite Verdelho.

[Marco D.]

Eric:

I agree and I know you are a big time VM guy have you ever tried the Barbeito 1902

Verdelho-my favorite Verdelho.

I'm not Eric, but I'll chime in and say the 1902 Barbieto Verdelho is stunning. Tough to find these days...

[Eric Ifune]

Don't think I've had the 02 Barbieto, but the 1929 Barbieto was superb, I think it a hair above the 1912 D'Oliveira.

[John Vachon]

The 1929 is good but I wish it didn't fade the second day. The 1926 holds better and I

think I prefer it.