For The Love Of Port

David Spriggs wrote:2 x Barbeito 50 year Malvasia "O Japonês”

Andy Velebil wrote: Saw that email and was tempted but held out...barely.

Glenn E. wrote: David and I chatted about it briefly, and in doing some research on it I saw both the price and the sugar level and decided that it was probably too dry (and too expensive) for me. 97 g/l sugar is far from a dry wine, but to balance the the acidity of Madeira for my palate I usually want something higher than that. The "Special Lot" 30 Year Old Malvasia that I loved so much at Mannie's dinner in San Francisco is 115 g/l, for example.

This wine is elegant and quite good. But IMHO not up to the sales pitch of being "arguably at another level" than the previously released 30/40/50. But then I felt the Avô Mário 50 was the most elegant and light bodied of the predecessors as well. Perhaps this is Ricardo's style for a '50'.

It's been a while since I last posted. Hope all are well.

I decided to make a splurge and this 1863 Blandy's caught my eye. The wine purveyor offered a two-ounce pour and my wife and I thought it was spectacular. That was back in March before the shutdowns. I just got back to the wine shop and made the purchase.

I am asking for comments, particularly any information on when the wine was bottled. The purveyor indicated they had made a larger purchase from a wine collector.

I am trying to think of a suitably auspicious occasion for the grand opening.

Best to all,
Joe D'Achille
Stuart FL

1863 is the year that Lincoln made Thanksgiving a national celebration, so perhaps a special Thanksgiving?

Got a bottle of 1929 Barbeito Verdelho. Their best Verdelho ever, IMHO.

Thanks, Glenn E.. A good suggestion, especially if a smaller contingent at the dinner table.

I have a 1922 D'Oliveras Boal that I was saving for my 65th birthday in 2022. I have had the 1922 twice before and it was stellar. My wife and I also opened a 1978 D'Oliveras Boal in in 2018 for our 40th anniversary (married August 1978) and we will have a glass every year until it's gone (may have to find another 1978 to follow that up with). I think about opening the 1863 for my retirement, but I have no idea when that will be.

BUT....I am ALWAYS thankful to have a glass of Madeira!

Joe D'Achille
Stuart FL

3 x 1989 D'Oliveiras Malvasia Madeira

$101/bottle all-in including shipping!

Glenn E. wrote: ↑Mon Aug 17, 2020 3:43 pm 3 x 1989 D'Oliveiras Malvasia Madeira

$101/bottle all-in including shipping!

Hey... me too! Did get some at WineBid yesterday as well?

Marco D. wrote: ↑Mon Aug 17, 2020 4:43 pm

Glenn E. wrote: ↑Mon Aug 17, 2020 3:43 pm 3 x 1989 D'Oliveiras Malvasia Madeira

$101/bottle all-in including shipping!

Hey... me too! Did get some at WineBid yesterday as well?

Yep, those are the ones!

Also bought a 1989 D'Oliveiras Malvasia 3-pack at WineBid. It appears 7 * 3-bottle lots were sold last Sunday.

Glenn E. wrote: ↑Mon Aug 17, 2020 9:17 pm

Marco D. wrote: ↑Mon Aug 17, 2020 4:43 pm

Glenn E. wrote: ↑Mon Aug 17, 2020 3:43 pm 3 x 1989 D'Oliveiras Malvasia Madeira

$101/bottle all-in including shipping!

Hey... me too! Did get some at WineBid yesterday as well?

Yep, those are the ones!

I bought 2 of those bottles on WineBid as well. I've yet to have my first taste of Madeira (I'm a big Port fan), but I suspect I will enjoy these immensely.

Okay, dumb question time: how does one make sure the wine you're buying is still good? Sure, that sort of wine should get only better with time, but do you get a warranty should the wine be tainted, or ruined due to incorrect conservation?

Olivier V wrote: ↑Sun Aug 30, 2020 11:39 am Okay, dumb question time: how does one make sure the wine you're buying is still good? Sure, that sort of wine should get only better with time, but do you get a warranty should the wine be tainted, or ruined due to incorrect conservation?

For old wines it's "Buyer Beware". Usually there is no guarantee of quality. That's why it's best to buy from retailers with a good reputation. Pictures help a lot. A low fill or a lot of seepage is a warning sign.

Elys picked up a bottle of Borges Rainwater Madeira from the local Portuguese neighborhood liquor store. I thought it would be a cooking only wine, but this is certainly a step up from other Rainwater's like Osbourne and Sandeman. Hardly fancy and acidity is not as racy, but at its price point is worthy of choosing this Madeira over similarly price ports.

I picked up a 1971 D'Oliveiras Terrantez to fill out a 6-pack from Rare Wine Co. In total, that shipment contains:

2 x NV Barbeito 50 Year Old Malvasia O Japones
3 x 1986 Barbeito Malvasia Candida Faja dos Padres
1 x 1971 D'Oliveiras Terrantez

Glenn E. wrote:I picked up a 1971 D'Oliveiras Terrantez to fill out a 6-pack from Rare Wine Co. In total, that shipment contains:

2 x NV Barbeito 50 Year Old Malvasia O Japones
3 x 1986 Barbeito Malvasia Candida Faja dos Padres
1 x 1971 D'Oliveiras Terrantez

Recently picked up a 71 Terrantez also, enjoying a glass now. Beautiful.

I have a bottle of the 1990 Faja dos Padres Candida open - how does the 86 compare?

I haven't had the 1990, but it would be fun to try them side by side!

1 x Manuela Barbeito Demijohns Malvasia Special Reserve - Average age over 120 years!

Local store had blockbuster prices on Barbeito RWC "Boston Bual" and Barbeito Duas Pipas 500 ml. Picked up one of each while the sale was going on.

Got some of the 1988 and 1993 Barbeito Manuel Eugenio Fernandes Sercial.
Glad to see MEF being spotlighted.

David Spriggs wrote: ↑Sun Nov 01, 2020 6:22 pm 1 x Manuela Barbeito Demijohns Malvasia Special Reserve - Average age over 120 years!

I picked up 3 of those. I couldn't resist given the age and limited quantity!