For The Love Of Port

On an earlier thread, I mentioned I recently purchased a 1937 D'Olivera Sercial. I had an opportunity before the purchase to view earlier tasting notes posted on this forum and checked other sources on the web. I have not had the opportunity to sample a vintage sercial, so I hoped this would be a rewarding experience.

A. Liddell's notes were,"Dark tawny with orange-gold highlights; pungent and characteristic bouquet with hints of fudge, varnish, and strong acidity; explosive fullness on palate, big but rounded, with an astringent, very long finish; totally dry, with a deliciously lingering fudge flavour. * * * "

Since I am not an experienced serial drinker, I can only echo most of the comments above. Gold highlights. Pungent, defintiely. Varnish aroma evolved into a definite fudge aroma after an hour. Strong acidity, but seems typical of the grape. Big, but not as big as boal. I would say balanced, not rounded. Nice finish, though not very long. I found the wine very refreshing.

I will post additional notes as the wine breathes and I can enjoy more at several later dates.

Any other comments on this vintage D'Olivera?

Joe D'Achille
Orlando, Florida
4/29/09

Thanks for the note, Joe. Out of curiosity, did the label mention the bottling date?

The bottling date was 2007. The wine was released, presumably, to capitalize on the "0" in "70", but I am, like many, charmed by the fact that this fine specimen lazed around in a wood cask in the warm Atlantic climate for seventy years, growing elegant and well-defined. Us humans certainly do not age as well.

DAY 2: Had a small glass as a nightcap, working concientiously to assess this wine. Pungent bouquet, quite; much longer finish. The wine, fudge aroma in particular, made a nice nightcap.

Hi Joe,

THanks for your impressions. Did you feel that there had been an improvement as this received more air time by the 2nd day?

As impressive as the wine was on both occasions, it did evolve some by DAY 2. The "varnish" quality commented by Liddell did mellow noticably.

DAY 3: Was going out last night with friends for a Moroccan feast. They are dedicated red wine drinkers. I offered them the opportunity to try the sercial, commenting that I would be quite dry compared to the n/v blend that I had brought to an office party some months ago. Both individuals commented on the "brightness" of the wine (my words). One friend did comment that the wine was refreshing (as I posted originally). I noticed the acidity seemed to lessen (probably my growing accustomed to the taste). The wine, perhaps, is evolving from the "sip-at-a-time" to "let's-drink" category.



Joe D'Achille
Orlando

I shared the sercial with a couple of friends (doing my best to spread the madeira gospel). They were quite pleased with the drier aspects and the chocolate aroma. I had recently (6 months ago) shared a 1929 Barbeito Verdehlo with them and they expressed a preference for the sweeter wine.

DAY 6: Drier elements definitely mellowing (or at least my perception of them).

I need to get some suggestions for food/cheese accompaniments. Please help.

Joe D'Achille
Orlando, Florida

June 19, 2009

On April 29th (and thereafter), I posted tasting notes on the 1937 D'Olivera's Sercial that I happened upon at a wine merchant here in Orlando that was selling off his private stock (several hundred bottles, but only two madeiras). See the "To buy or not to buy..." thread.

Since then, a dear friend of mine returned from Turkey with a special gift for me, a decanter and six glasses - quite beautiful. to Michelle.

Since then, the remaining madeira has dwindled. Today, I poured the last glass and duly report the final tasting notes:
Fudge aroma quite prominent; tangy, yet delicious on the front side; a developed roundness in the middle; longer, dry finish that is very refreshing.

Quite worthy of the 3 *** by A. Liddell (I am not experienced enough to score out points yet). Price was $250 US, what I believed to be market price, and was worth the price.

The 1922 D'Olivera's Boal (that was purchased with the 1937) and a 1908 D'Olivera's Bual remain in the wine cabinet. For now, I am enjoying the n/v Broadbent 10 year Malmsey.

Joe D'Achille
Orlando