TN: 1986 Faja dos Padres

[Eric Ifune]

We had this on the Madeirathon at the Faja on 05/11/2014. Then I scored it a 92. Mr. Fernandes said it was bottled in Oct. 2013.
I decided to open another bottle that I had gotten before. This one didn't have a bottling date, but since only 654 were bottled, I'm assuming it has the same bottling date.
Glowing amber/green/gold color.
Soaring aromas of spices, cinnamon, nutmeg, fruitcake, lemon peel, tangerines.
Very rich mouthfeel on the palate. Not particularly sweet but with great acidity. More spice and citrus on the palate.
A very long finish with even more spice, lemons, and tangerines.
I really like the acid balance.
I'm scoring this bottle a 93. My notes from the 11th showed more caramel and floral notes, but the same low sweetness and high acidity.

[Daniel Fraley]

I enjoyed my bottle just after the new year. I'm glad I had the chance to try this given the history of the vineyard and provenance of the vines, but for the price, I'd purchase three bottles of the Barbeito 20 instead.