TN: 1968 d'Oliveiras Boal

[Justin A]

Wanted to pop this and have it side by side with a '33 Justino Malmsey that had been opened several months before. The '68 had a very soft cork which crumbled into pieces, and I had to use a screen to pour into a glass. Super intense nose of caramel and some varnish, very similar to a Verdelho nose. I have never had a Madeira this young, so my ability to describe it is limited. High acid, and not too sweet. Definitely changed in the glass as it had a sharp tangy finish upon the first sip, but mellowed after 30 minutes in the glass. Finish after an hour fleshed out to coat the palate and hid any sharp edges that were there before. Really a great wine, and would certainly look forward to future bottlings of this wine. Enjoyed with my uncle outside with a bright full moonpath across the Atlantic and a couple of Partagas Lusitanias.

[Eric Ifune]

Justin, did you notice the bottling date on the back?
For me, this is a great wine, one of the best post WWII Madeiras. It will show even better with some air time.
The 1933 Justino's Malmsey is also very good, perhaps just lacking a bit of concentration to be great.
Love me some Lusitanias as well!

[Justin A]

Eric,
I did not notice the date but will certainly check and report back when I get home. Thanks!

[Justin A]

Eric,
I had a look at the bottle and there is no bottling date that I can find anywhere on the bottle. I can see that there is a very heavy level of crust on the upper quarter of the bottle which leads me to assume it might be an "older" bottling of this vintage. Perhaps 10 years?

[Eric Ifune]

I believe Mr. D'Oliverias told us that after the mid-late 90's he started putting the bottling dates on his wines, so this would probably be from the early 90's.

[David Spriggs]

This is a fantastic wine. I first experienced it with Eric Ifune and Eric Johnson on the Madeira tour in 2009. We went to visit the D'Oliveira Lodge on our own. We purchased the 1968 Boal and had it opened right there and enjoyed it in the Lodge. What a special wine! Here is a photo from that visit:

[Justin A]

David,
Thats so awesome. One of my best memories was visiting Ridge Vineyards a few years ago with my uncle who lives in Los Gatos. We drove up the most treacherous of roads to get there, and I, being from Florida with very flat terrain, was a bit unnerved. When we reached the winery, I needed a drink. We went inside, and, I never had had their wines but heard the 1991 Monte Bello was special. I asked for it, and with a smile, the gentleman produced a half bottle from their library. We enjoyed it on the mountain top Monte Bello winery, and it is now quite a sentimental wine for me. I see you are from SCM so you may know what I am talking about.I imagine you share a similar feeling with the '68 Boal after having it there.

[David Spriggs]

Justin,
I pass right by that road (Montebello Roda) at the bottom of the hill every day on the way to work. Yes, the road is crazy, but after living in the mountains for so long it doesn't seem like much any more. Now the roads in the DOuro... they scare me! 1991 Ridge is legendary. I love that wine!

Yes, the is probably my most vivid memory of Funchal. We had just flown in from Porto and the group had some down time. Some of the people slept, and some went to the spa. But I was excited to be there and bored sitting in my room. I wandered out of my room and standing around outside of their rooms were the two Erics. I knew that we weren't going to visit D'Oloveira on the trip, so I suggested that we just take the oportunity to visit right then. I'm glad that we did!

[Eric Ifune]

Justin,
Was that the old road up MonteBello before they paved it. It was really hairy before then!
That 1991 MonteBello is one of the best Californian wines I've ever had.

[Justin A]

Eric,
Im not sure, since Ive only visited once and it was about 3 years ago. The 1991 is a showstopper. Easily the best California wine I have ever had. BTW, I called RWC and just ordered a case of the '68 today. This batch was bottled this year! Gonna be very interesting to see the difference with the extra cask time. Will report back!

J

[Eric Ifune]

Ah, it was paved then.
I remember going up there with my father in the late 70's. It was a dirt road, washed out in some places. This was also before the Ridge facility in Sonoma was built, so the Zinfandel loads would have to be trucked up that road. It was hairy enough in a car! The new buildings were not there, only that leaning barn that they've since shored up.
I've had several bottlings of the 68, all were wonderful. That bottle with David was shared with the whole group and was very appreciated!

[Barry Sunderland]

Bought another d'Oliveiras Boal '68 today (2012 Bottling!)

[David Spriggs]

Bought another d'Oliveiras Boal '68 today (2012 Bottling!)

Nice! I believe all of mine are the 2008 Bottling. I wonder how different they are?

[Barry Sunderland]

Bought another d'Oliveiras Boal '68 today (2012 Bottling!)

Nice! I believe all of mine are the 2008 Bottling. I wonder how different they are?

David,

My last bottle was a 2008, as well. I'm looking forward to taking a look at the 2012 take on 1968.

[Barry Sunderland]

Bought another d'Oliveiras Boal '68 today (2012 Bottling!)

Nice! I believe all of mine are the 2008 Bottling. I wonder how different they are?

David,

I'll see your '08 and raise you my '12 as a 1968 Different Bottling Date Tasting in Silicon Valley

I don't know if anyone on the board has done a same Madeira/different bottling date tasting...