For The Love Of Port

I have not seen any announcement by Rare Wine Company, but Vinhos Barbeito describes two new RWC Historic Series madeiras on their web site.

One is "Baltimore Rainwater", said to replicate the style of 19th century rainwater madeira.

The other is "Lee Family Stratford Hall Special Reserve". This madeira is said to have light color, delicacy, and moderate sweetness.

Both are canteiro-aged and, since no grapes are mentioned, are assumed to be made from TNM.

Has anyone seen any indication of when they may be available?

I tasted the Lee Family Stratford Hall Special Reserve last month at a RWC tasting in NYC and I believe Mannie mentioned it would be available later this year, but I have nothing more specific. For what it's worth, it was very good, with an evolved color... glints of green along the rim, which I typically only see on VERY old Madeiras.

There is also a Porto Moniz Malvasia coming out which will complement the Porto Moniz Verdelho that came out last year. It is supposedly made from a rare clone of Malvasia.

Ricardo de Freitas at Barbeito is a busy guy...

Oh Oh. I need to start saving some money.

Looks like the Lee Family Stratford Hall Special Reserve will be released this Spring...