NEWS FLASH: Broadbent 10 yr. Malmsey is heading to the UK
Posted: Fri Feb 02, 2007 3:58 am
You can say you heard it here first folks ...
For those of you in the UK whom are looking for what I consider to be the "best buy" in non-vintage Madeira, look no further! Coming soon to an exclusive wine shop near you ... Broadbent 10 Year Old Malmsey.
The great news is that it will be carried at Berry Bros. & Rudd which just so happens to be my favorite wine shop in London. The treatment I received there on my only visit, was unlike anything I've ever experienced in the USA!
So while label requirements are being met, the order is already in the works and before you know it ... those of you in the UK, will have access to this gem. Coincidentally, about 12 hours before receiving this news, I just happened to purchase a bottle in Seattle to enjoy during the Super Bowl on Sunday. I am not sure just how much is going to turn up across the pond, but I can say that a wise man would purchase this by the case
For those of you that would like to see my tasting note on this marvelous Madeira:
Broadbent Madeira Malmsey, 10 Years Old - I just checked winesearcher.com and found that this wine sells in one shop for $30 and then ranges between the upper-$30s to the mid-$40 neighborhood. That is a very attractive neighborhood indeed, for a Madeira that delivers this much drinking pleasure. Considering you can take one sip a night for a couple of months, this then becomes a great bargain of a dessert wine.
The color is beautiful to study if you are into such things. The basic wine on first glance is caramel colored. A more indepth look shows a slight hint of light ruby, just in the core with a well established yellow edge. Odd for a wine made from white grapes. The aromatics belie the age of this wine and it would be hard not to perceive that this is a Madeira with far more age to it's bones. The salinity of an ocean breeze is the first thing that comes forth on the nose. Beef bouillon cube also comes to mind along with roasted nuts and caramelized sugar.
What also strikes me deep in my palate's pleaure zone is the body of this wine. Many of the less expensive bottlings than Vintage Madeiras) of Madeira, from Rainwater to 15 Year Old by an assortment of producers, is the lack of richness and viscosity. I like a dense and unctuous Madeira and prefer that to a thin or light bodied style. But the essence is balance and that is the featured character of this wine. The round and refined mouthfeel here are highlighted by flavors of caramel, toffee, creme brulee and pralines. If that sounds sweet, yes, this wine is definitely that, but it has razor sharp acidity which maintains the harmony. In addition, the aftertaste is elegant, complex and persistent. 92 pts.
Editorial: This is an outstanding entry level experience for wine lovers that may want to see if investing in expensive Vintage Madeiras is for them. It delivers a great deal of old Madeira finesse, for a very reasonable price and could be kept in decanter for days, weeks or even months for occasional sipping pleasure.
I must disclose that Bartholomew Broadbent is a personal friend. However, that has only resulted in my being tougher in my rating of his wines than others, much to his chagrin, albeit he understands my rationale.
For those of you in the UK whom are looking for what I consider to be the "best buy" in non-vintage Madeira, look no further! Coming soon to an exclusive wine shop near you ... Broadbent 10 Year Old Malmsey.
The great news is that it will be carried at Berry Bros. & Rudd which just so happens to be my favorite wine shop in London. The treatment I received there on my only visit, was unlike anything I've ever experienced in the USA!
So while label requirements are being met, the order is already in the works and before you know it ... those of you in the UK, will have access to this gem. Coincidentally, about 12 hours before receiving this news, I just happened to purchase a bottle in Seattle to enjoy during the Super Bowl on Sunday. I am not sure just how much is going to turn up across the pond, but I can say that a wise man would purchase this by the case
For those of you that would like to see my tasting note on this marvelous Madeira:
Broadbent Madeira Malmsey, 10 Years Old - I just checked winesearcher.com and found that this wine sells in one shop for $30 and then ranges between the upper-$30s to the mid-$40 neighborhood. That is a very attractive neighborhood indeed, for a Madeira that delivers this much drinking pleasure. Considering you can take one sip a night for a couple of months, this then becomes a great bargain of a dessert wine.
The color is beautiful to study if you are into such things. The basic wine on first glance is caramel colored. A more indepth look shows a slight hint of light ruby, just in the core with a well established yellow edge. Odd for a wine made from white grapes. The aromatics belie the age of this wine and it would be hard not to perceive that this is a Madeira with far more age to it's bones. The salinity of an ocean breeze is the first thing that comes forth on the nose. Beef bouillon cube also comes to mind along with roasted nuts and caramelized sugar.
What also strikes me deep in my palate's pleaure zone is the body of this wine. Many of the less expensive bottlings than Vintage Madeiras) of Madeira, from Rainwater to 15 Year Old by an assortment of producers, is the lack of richness and viscosity. I like a dense and unctuous Madeira and prefer that to a thin or light bodied style. But the essence is balance and that is the featured character of this wine. The round and refined mouthfeel here are highlighted by flavors of caramel, toffee, creme brulee and pralines. If that sounds sweet, yes, this wine is definitely that, but it has razor sharp acidity which maintains the harmony. In addition, the aftertaste is elegant, complex and persistent. 92 pts.
Editorial: This is an outstanding entry level experience for wine lovers that may want to see if investing in expensive Vintage Madeiras is for them. It delivers a great deal of old Madeira finesse, for a very reasonable price and could be kept in decanter for days, weeks or even months for occasional sipping pleasure.
I must disclose that Bartholomew Broadbent is a personal friend. However, that has only resulted in my being tougher in my rating of his wines than others, much to his chagrin, albeit he understands my rationale.
