First foray into Madeira - How'd we do?

[Carl D]

For our anniversary tonight, we went out to one of the nicer restaurants in the Sacramento area. We chose our particular destination for two reasons. First, we hadn't ever eaten there together and second, they have a large wine list including many older bottles.

Before dinner, we sat in the bar for a bit and sampled two Madeiras:

1957 Campanario Bual
1845 Cossart & Gordon, Co. Solera Cuvée Centenary Bual

We enjoyed these wines in the bar, then carried them back to our table where we saved them to accompany a cheese plate appetizer. I found the Madeiras - both of them - to be fine accompaniments to the cheese, especially to a very nice blue cheese (cow+goat, from Spain) that was on the plate.

I think we were both struck by the high acidity of these wines - I'd read about that characteristic of Madeira but experiencing it first hand was another thing. Personally, I liked the Centenary Solera better, scoring it at 92 points, while the Campanario I scored a bit lower at 88 points. Phyllis was just the opposite, putting the Campanario on top.

So, as our first two Madeira, how'd we do? What should we try next?

[Eric Ifune]

Haven't had the Campanario, but the Cossart is very nice.
Which restaurant in Sac has old Madeira by the glass?

[Carl D]

Which restaurant in Sac has old Madeira by the glass?

The Firehouse in old Sac on 2nd street. Overpriced (of course), but we wanted to splurge since it was our anniversary and we'd never tried any old Madeira.

After dinner we also splurged on a spoonful of Royal Tokaji Essencia 2000. Interesting stuff! I don't agree with the RP comment of "Oh. My. God." though. For me the 1937 Noval colheita was far more an OMG experience.

Just before leaving we got a tour of their wine cellar - turns out, they have over 20,000 bottles! I had no idea there was a restaurant in Sac with that kind of cellar. Among other things, they have one of the largest collections of Silver Oak cab anywhere in the world.

[Barry Sunderland]

Which restaurant in Sac has old Madeira by the glass?

The Firehouse in old Sac on 2nd street. Overpriced (of course), but we wanted to splurge since it was our anniversary and we'd never tried any old Madeira.

After dinner we also splurged on a spoonful of Royal Tokaji Essencia 2000. Interesting stuff! I don't agree with the RP comment of "Oh. My. God." though. For me the 1937 Noval colheita was far more an OMG experience.

Just before leaving we got a tour of their wine cellar - turns out, they have over 20,000 bottles! I had no idea there was a restaurant in Sac with that kind of cellar. Among other things, they have one of the largest collections of Silver Oak cab anywhere in the world.

Carl,

Congratulations on your anniversary! They sound like great wines. I may have to check them out. Regarding Silver Oak, Blech...

[Barry Sunderland]

Yes, those prices are a bit high. A 2 oz. pour of the Cossart at $125 when the BOTTLE sells at retail about $600 ...And remember, they bought that bottle wholesale!

[Carl D]

Yes, those prices are a bit high. A 2 oz. pour of the Cossart at $125 when the BOTTLE sells at retail about $600 ...And remember, they bought that bottle wholesale!

Oh yeah! But, it did give us a reference point to know whether we'd be interested in buying a bottle for $500-$600. It was a decent sized pour too - maybe 4oz.