Event: 1978 1981 20 Year old Barbeito Verdelho Malvasia Madeira
Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2007 3:16 pm
After the WinExpo we had dinner at perhaps the nicest restaurant in Helsinki, Carelia. After a heavy tasting-dinner (three courses but 12 wines tasted!!) we had a few desserts:
Barbeito Verdelho 1978 smelled of shit. Literally. It didn't have any of the brightness of the 1981 and the 20 YO that were served beside it. I was certain the bottle was flawed, but as we didn't have a spare we couldn't check. Also, all the other participants found it ok. The taste was flat and lifeless and I was still sure it had something wrong with it.
Barbeito Verdelho 1981 was lovely, however. It had the cleanest, razor sharp scent of apples, VA, toffee and roasting coffee. The palate was slightly sweet but delightfully acidic and volatile. It is so fresh and refreshing despite its sugar and high alcohol that I could drink this for an appetizer or even with some food during the meal. This is quite a delightful drink.
Barbeito Malvazia 20 YO was nice also. It was sweet, but savoury and even elegant despite its size. A very lively wine.
-O-
Barbeito Verdelho 1978 smelled of shit. Literally. It didn't have any of the brightness of the 1981 and the 20 YO that were served beside it. I was certain the bottle was flawed, but as we didn't have a spare we couldn't check. Also, all the other participants found it ok. The taste was flat and lifeless and I was still sure it had something wrong with it.
Barbeito Verdelho 1981 was lovely, however. It had the cleanest, razor sharp scent of apples, VA, toffee and roasting coffee. The palate was slightly sweet but delightfully acidic and volatile. It is so fresh and refreshing despite its sugar and high alcohol that I could drink this for an appetizer or even with some food during the meal. This is quite a delightful drink.
Barbeito Malvazia 20 YO was nice also. It was sweet, but savoury and even elegant despite its size. A very lively wine.
-O-