For The Love Of Port

This past Thursday we had another Madeira night at my place. The evenings theme was to compare some of the sub $100 NV options. We were also celebrating the close of the Christie's Online auction that ended that afternoon where I'd scored some cool wines that have me very excited.

The H&H Verdelho 20 Year was easily WOTN. This wine was $100 at Schneider's and now I'm curious to try it vs some young vintage products: only '85 & '86 D'Oliveira and '92 Barbieto play in the same price class (+/- 25% ($75-125)). Not shown is a 1968 Blandy Verdelho that we tried it against at the end - the '68 was simply in another league.

The H&H Terrantez 20 Year also deserves special mention. Delicious, not amazing, doesn't compare to the 70's Terrantez that I've had and I don't yet have the '88 'D'Oliveira in my possession which is the only vintage bottle in the price class - the '77 D'Oliveira starts at $160.

The RWC bottles are all enjoyable beverages but none stood out as a type favorite to any of the 3 of us present (good pallets all but all Madeira amateurs). So far the RWC Jefferson is easily my favorite from the collection (I recently bought a case - that's how much I like it) and I I look forward to trying the Porto Moniz and Stratford Hall bottles that I have en route.

Sorry for the dark photo. Our order was L to R, bottles marked ## were already open -everything else was basically pop/pour:

• RWC Baltimore Rainwater
• RWC Savannah Verdelho
• H&H Verdelho 20 Year
• H&H Terrantez 20 Year
• RWC Mr Madison (primarily 2006 Malmsey, with a small amount of very old Tinta Negra )
• RWC New York Malmsey
• Broadbent 10 Year Malmsey ##
• H&H 10 Year Malmsey ##
• H&H 15 Year Malmsey ##
• Bland 15 Year Malmsey

1968 D'Oliveira's Boal bottled in 2011.

I need to let Saturday sink in for a while before drinking any Madeira again.

I couldn't go cold turkey, hence the 1968.

Did you taste malvasia this year?

David Pamment wrote:Having never come across your site before, I was fascinated by the question what Madeira have you opened this week? I am the former Director General of the Madeira Wine Company (13 years in Funchal). I opened my last but one bottle of the Torre Bella Verdelho 1877. Still fresh and crisp with a background of ‘coffee grounds' and honey but with the characteristic ‘apple bite’ and a long lingering finish.

The re-bottling and corking was carried out by hand and supervised by my Production Director, Engo Eduardo Luis Rodrigues, (now deceased), by decanting into a large almude, (a large open jug used to top up casks), Also present were, David Fairlie, who embossed the top wax seal with his crest, Myself and our technician.

What a rare and beatific post for the Madeira lover, David! Have any photos of the process you followed that could be shared with us? Or any biblio or citations?

Best always,

Matt: Where did you get PALLETS full of good Madeira? I'm on my way over, even at $100 a bottle!

(Hokay, you found me out. Any pun in a storm!)

Gary,
Yes, Malvasia. Very nice tasting.
Richard Mayson has his notes up on his website.

1971 D'Oliveira's Terrantez

John, if your a big enough man to except my apologies, I wood appreciate it. I no the difference but two be fare I didn't error check my post. Its an important lessen and it would be grate if the principal posters lead by example and past there hole post or electronic male though a speel chekcer to insure that no lose homophones escape into the desert....the whether can be less than peiceful they're. I hope I have vent board ewe with this explanation. :)

Just started 1988 D'Oliveiras Terrantez. Great stuff

Barbeito Ribeira Real boal
Barbeito Ribeira Real verdelho
1978 Barbeito sercial

1977 D'Oliveira terrantez
1988 D'Oliveira terrantez

Gary,

I'd love to hear your opinions of these two Terrantez, since you are having them side-by-side.


I needed some Madeira to cook with, well, to add as a garnish to a clam and dungeness crab chowder I was making for dinner guests. So I used a dollop of Broadbent 10 year old Malmsey splashed atop each guest's bowl.

Roy,

The 1977 is richer than the 1988.

The 1988 appears to be the drier and lighter of the two and would be better suited for the beginning of a meal. The 1988 is better when chilled.

Borges 15 year old Malmsey

1999 Broadbent Colheita

Very nice value wine. Will definitely serve to meet a week night craving for a Madeira fix with no regrets.


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A friend opened a 1954 Justino's Verdelho on Monday along with a 10 year Justino's Malmsey

Last weekend we did Blandy's:
Blandy's 5 Year Sercial
Blandy's Alvada
Blandy's 10 Year Malmsey

1999 Broadbent Colheita


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