FTLOP Buying Op in America

[Roy Hersh]

In the current newsletter, there was a fun Moscatel de Setubal buying opportunity. Beyond the scores that I rated these, confirmed as accurate by Stewart and Glenn last night but they did not have the 40, (yet), I can vouch for these. The fresh from the importer and cutting out any middlemen except the independent shipping company, 2 tiers of profit are completely eliminated. These Moscatel de Setubal aged desssert wines are phenomenal and they can last for years once opened, as long as kept in the refrigerator.

Do not turn up your nose at these because they are not Port, and don't come from the Douro. Be smart and at least give the newsletter a read. These wines are truly compelling. Enough said!

[Glenn E.]

I had already read the newsletter when we tried the last night, but Stewart had not. So Stewart's scores were blind but matched Roy's exactly, and mine were the same as Roy's except for the 20 Year Old which I rated 1 point lower.

They taste something like a cross between a White Port with an indication of age and a German Riesling. It is especially pronounced on the 10 Year Old, where some of that "petrol" or "diesel" from the Riesling side still comes through.

They're also very intense, with both high sugar and high acidity. So high, in fact, that you might be able to be convinced that they are D'Oliveiras Malvasia Madeiras. (Probably not... but the resemblance is strong.)

They're also very different from each other. I sometimes feel like Tawny Ports aren't that different as they age from 10 to 20 to 30, but these definitely are. I think there's very little chance that you wouldn't be able to tell them apart and accurately say which is which.

The 10 and 20 are great values for the cost. The 30 seems appropriately priced. We didn't get to try the 40, but my guess is that it's about right as well. That makes the "century flight" or 12-pack options pretty good deals!

[Eric Ifune]

I'm just sad there's no Roxo. Roy knows it's my favorite.

[Mike J. W.]

I'm just sad there's no Roxo. Roy knows it's my favorite.

Eric, educate me please. What's the stylistic and taste difference between the Roxo and Alambre?

[Eric Ifune]

Roxo is a purplish mutation of the regular Moscatel found in the JM Fonseca vineyard. They cultivated it and now a few other places produce it as well. For me, less sweet more complex. Perhaps because of higher acidity. More profound for me.

[Mike J. W.]

Roxo is a purplish mutation of the regular Moscatel found in the JM Fonseca vineyard. They cultivated it and now a few other places produce it as well. For me, less sweet more complex. Perhaps because of higher acidity. More profound for me.

Thanks Eric, that was helpful. It sounds like it's more Madeira like. I know you love acidity.

[Eric Menchen]

I tried a Roxo once and it wasn't for me. To each his own. But I'd still try it again too.

[Roy Hersh]

Eric Ifune: Sorry brother, this was all that was offered. As you know very well from several visits in Setubal together, I am a Roxo fan big time. But they were not available unfortunately. These Alambre bottlings are still very good. The 10 for the money, was incredible. But I am a huge fan of the 40. The 20 and 30 are also pretty darn good. But I always compare the 20 to the Roxo version of which I've sucked down my share of over the years. Still own a few. The 30 may be the best value for money in the lineup though.

[Glenn E.]

Tom brought the 20 to a Port Club meeting and it surprised everyone, including me. I gave it 93 when tasted against its siblings (10 and 30), but against Port I was 2 points higher! It was WotN for several people, though I did have it behind the 1975 Andresen Colheita. I guessed that it was an S. Leonardo 50 White, though I wasn't confident. That was just as close as I could get for a guess.

Pretty outstanding value for the money!

[Edward J]

I opened a bottle of the 40 year old for thanksgiving and had it with some Pumpkin pie, great match. Bottled in 2017, the glass was heavily stained and the wine viscous. To me it was more like a Madeira and I enjoyed it later on with a fine cigar. However for some in our group it was just "too much". Next time I'll try the 20 which should be more palatable to this mostly non Port drinking group.

[Roy Hersh]

I like Moscatel de Setubal with pecan pie, more than pumpkin pie.

My point in the exercise, was to get FTLOP to try something other than Port and Madeira. Given the extensive shelf life of these wines, solid pricing, free shipping available, and the unique character, it would be interesting to introduce to first timers. I tried them all again recently, and with fig newtons that were given to me as a gift in Madeira in November. I also opened up a Bolo de Mel muled back from Madeira. The Fig Newtons were the better pairing and it wasn't close.