For The Love Of Port

I opened this about one week ago and have had several glasses of it since. I can say it has improved quite a lot from one week ago. I was not very impressed with it last week, and easily would have forgone this to the Broadbent 10 yr old Malmsey, as they are only a few dollars different in price.

However, now this has evolved into a very nice Malmsey. A wonderful nose of orange peel (which reminds me of being in an orange field) with a nice dose of VA. It is very smooth on the front of the palate then slowly builds into a very pleasant warming sensation that reminded me of a warm glass of cider on christmas. Flavors of walnut and orange, with a hint of molasses on the medium length finish.

Although I'd rank this just behind the Broadbent 10yr (as the Broadbent is a bit more complex), overall, I am very impressed with this.

Andy

Nice note. Have your tried the other two from the historic series?

Jay

From my viewpoint, the Boal was the best Madeira, from the RWC Historic Series.

Jay,

No, this is the first one that I have had from the RWC Historic Series. I'm trying to expand my drinking of Madeira, as it is very very limited at this point. The local wine store had this in stock last week so I thought I'd give it a go.

Roy,

If that is the case, I will have to get the Boal and give it a shot.

Question for all,

It seemed that it took several days for this to really open up. Is this normal for Madeira?

My experience also is very limited with madeira. But I think your note and Roys earlier comments about the historic series will lead me to buy all three and try them.

Seems like from what I have heard here, and read, that maderia can ship all year regardless of the temperature? The RWC is in Sonoma so I could drive but would ship if it's not a problem.

Jay

The Krohn's tasting two friends and I went to last night also had all three RWC Historic Series to taste. All three aof us agreed the Bual was the best, and my 2 friends had never had Madeira before! We like the Sercial the least and the Malmsey was ranked #2. I hate when Roy is right (Roy, just kidding of course)

There is nothing wrong with the RWC Malmsey, it is tasty and serviceable but I have not found it to have the unctuous texture or weight that I expect from a really fine Malvasia, albeit to be fair it is a QPR quaffer @ $40. This spring I had it side-by-side with the Broadbent 10 year old Malmsey, the latter of which stood out with greater complexity on the mid-palate and finish, as well as the greater body weight which I look for in higher quality Malmsey bottlings.

Your mileage may vary. Try 'em side-by-side to make a fair comparison!

Andy V. wrote:It seemed that it took several days for this to really open up. Is this normal for Madeira?

I would say this is very normal. Almost all Madeiras I open are better days later. My general rule of thumb is: the longer "cask-aged" wines are in the bottle, the more time it needs to develop.

I even find this true with a lot of tawnys.

Thanks Marco. I also think most tawnys are better after being open about a day first.


Roy,
Don't get me wrong, as I said earlier in the thread, I liked the RWC Malmsey, and would buy it again as it is a bit easier to find near me than the Broadbent. But, I do like the Broadbent a little bit more when compared to each other.

Hi guys,

You are so attached to Broadbent/Justino's versus RWC Historic etc. All wonderful wines.

BUT don't you have Henriques & Henriques 10-15 years over there ??. I am NOT saying they are better, not at all, but no one gives a comparison.

And Borges, which I will talk with next month, so Roy , as he told me, may help them get an importer for their wines.

Or the big MWC with a lot of good 10-15 year ones. I just have one of Blandy's 10 year Terrantez left. Excellent stuff.

Please wake up guys, there are a lot of good wines out there, give them all a chance.

Reidar

Reidar,

I have not yet tried the Henriques & Henriques 10 yr Malmsey as it is not easly found near me. When I locate a bottle I will give it a try and let you all know what I think of it at that time.

I've tried the Blandy's malmsey 15 year and enjoyed it too, but I liked the Broadbent the best....so far! Just a personnal thing, as everyone has their own preferences.

But my madeira drinking experience is still sparse, and I am trying to start drinking more of it. The biggest problem is finding different things near me. Most stores carry the same cheap rainwater type stuff, and only a couple of the more older stuff (10-15 yr olds). The RWC "Historic" series is easly found, then Blandy's, and a few more have the Broadbent, the rest are few and far between. This makes trying a variety of things a bit difficult.

Getting up in 8 hours, at 0330 to get to Vegas, but could not help it, had to open my Justino's 10 year Malmsey, bottled June 29 th 2006.

Excellent and quite long, but I cannot judge it so well now since I had a few other wines/food ahead of it. "Forcefeeding" myself since I try to get to bed at 8 pm.

But , on the other hand, it was more or less like other good 10 year old Malmsey's.

So I will bring Broadbent 10 year M home and blindtest.......

Looking forward to test Barros et Sousa and Borges in three weeks time.
Especially Borges 15 year old's. :)

Reidar