Madeira rookie
Moderators: Glenn E., Roy Hersh, Andy Velebil
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Steve Saxon
- Posts: 79
- Joined: Tue Aug 02, 2005 8:06 am
- Location: Gig Harbor, Wa.
Madeira rookie
I hate to say it, but I've never had a Madeira. So are there any suggestions as to what I should try first, and where do I find them? Thanks.
Wine brings truth.
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Frederick Blais
- Posts: 2723
- Joined: Sun Jul 31, 2005 10:07 am
- Location: Porto, Portugal
Hi Steve, I am not an expert myselft having try few but one I really like at the entry level is the Cossart Gordon 5 years old Bual. The Bual grape is not too dry nor too sweet, it is a good start to taste what Madeira is.
You can visit their web site too:
http://www.cossartgordon.com/frameset.htm
You can visit their web site too:
http://www.cossartgordon.com/frameset.htm
Living the dream and now working for a Port company
Disclaimer: mentioning a friend's brand
The Broadbent 10 year old Malvasia is still the best deal in Madeira in the $30-40 range. I mentioned this on the Parker site and received almost 2 dozen emails and PMs thanking me. My own brother bought a case of the stuff and I know lots of others that have. Heck, I do. It is delicious and much better than other Madeiras I have had in the same price range. For instance the Rare Wine Company put out 4 Madeiras in their Historyical Series. In my humble and honest opinion, none of them compares to the aforementioned wine. Steve, if you don't like this wine, you won't like Madeira! It is what I call, a no-brainer.
I have not had the 5 year old Cossart, but I have never had a bottle of their older wines that I did not thoroughly enjoy. (I hate those damn double negatives!).
The Broadbent 10 year old Malvasia is still the best deal in Madeira in the $30-40 range. I mentioned this on the Parker site and received almost 2 dozen emails and PMs thanking me. My own brother bought a case of the stuff and I know lots of others that have. Heck, I do. It is delicious and much better than other Madeiras I have had in the same price range. For instance the Rare Wine Company put out 4 Madeiras in their Historyical Series. In my humble and honest opinion, none of them compares to the aforementioned wine. Steve, if you don't like this wine, you won't like Madeira! It is what I call, a no-brainer.
I have not had the 5 year old Cossart, but I have never had a bottle of their older wines that I did not thoroughly enjoy. (I hate those damn double negatives!).
Ambition driven by passion, rather than money, is as strong an elixir as is Port. http://www.fortheloveofport.com
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Jason Brandt Lewis
- Posts: 123
- Joined: Tue Aug 02, 2005 12:28 pm
- Location: Berkeley, California, United States of America - USA
I, too ,would recommend the Broadbent 10 Year Old Malvasia -- which, IIRC, was personally selected by Bart (and his father, Michael?) from the stocks at Justino & Henriques. This company is one of the remaining independents and is better known simply as Justino's. Be advised the Justino's 10 Year Old is not the same as the Broadbent bottling.
Also stunning, IMHO, are the 10- and 15-Year Old Malmseys and Buals from Henriques & Henriques (H&H), another independent firm, this run by John Cossart (he of the family that for generations ran Cossart, Gordon).
The most commonly found Madeiras in the U.S. are Blandy's, Leacock's and Cossart, Gordon. These are all owned by the Symington's, owners of Dow's, Graham's, Warre's, Smith Woodhouse, Gould Campbell and Qta. do Vesuvio.
Cheers,
Jason
Also stunning, IMHO, are the 10- and 15-Year Old Malmseys and Buals from Henriques & Henriques (H&H), another independent firm, this run by John Cossart (he of the family that for generations ran Cossart, Gordon).
The most commonly found Madeiras in the U.S. are Blandy's, Leacock's and Cossart, Gordon. These are all owned by the Symington's, owners of Dow's, Graham's, Warre's, Smith Woodhouse, Gould Campbell and Qta. do Vesuvio.
Cheers,
Jason
Porto comes from only one place . . . no matter what the label says!