Home made Pasteis de Nata's and 1998 Blandy's Harvest
Posted: Wed Apr 14, 2010 3:35 am
Returning home from Madeira didn't stop our cravings after Pasteis de Nata's so when Easter arrived my wife baked a dozen herself 
What to drink with them? Well, an espresso really does the job, but now this is a Madeira forum, and me more in the mood for fortified, the choice fell on the 1998 Blandy's Harvest Malmsey. But just for the fun of it I also poured a glass of the 1999 Boal Colheita from Barbeito knowing the risk it was too high in acidity could be a problem.
First of all; my wife obviously has some Portuguese skills when it comes to baking because the pasteis de nata's were splendid. The Boal, a great wine really showing that IMMHO Barbeito is number one producer when it comes to Colheita's today, was not working well with the dessert. Needed more sugar, less acidity so this was put aside. But the 1998 Harvest Malmsey was super and it's raisiny and slightly floral notes in the mouth went well with the egg cake. Not an elegant wine, a bit monolithic I think, but for the money it's a great glass (the 2001 is currently retailed in Sweden at EUR 13 for a half a litre bottle). My last 1998 opened and rated at 87 p.
By the way, spring is coming to Stockholm now and to celebrate the lovely day yesterday a glass of 10 YO Sercial Barbeito was enjoyed! What a fine glass it is and such concentration for a ten year old only (91 p).
Best,
Niklas, who needs to change signature....
What to drink with them? Well, an espresso really does the job, but now this is a Madeira forum, and me more in the mood for fortified, the choice fell on the 1998 Blandy's Harvest Malmsey. But just for the fun of it I also poured a glass of the 1999 Boal Colheita from Barbeito knowing the risk it was too high in acidity could be a problem.
First of all; my wife obviously has some Portuguese skills when it comes to baking because the pasteis de nata's were splendid. The Boal, a great wine really showing that IMMHO Barbeito is number one producer when it comes to Colheita's today, was not working well with the dessert. Needed more sugar, less acidity so this was put aside. But the 1998 Harvest Malmsey was super and it's raisiny and slightly floral notes in the mouth went well with the egg cake. Not an elegant wine, a bit monolithic I think, but for the money it's a great glass (the 2001 is currently retailed in Sweden at EUR 13 for a half a litre bottle). My last 1998 opened and rated at 87 p.
By the way, spring is coming to Stockholm now and to celebrate the lovely day yesterday a glass of 10 YO Sercial Barbeito was enjoyed! What a fine glass it is and such concentration for a ten year old only (91 p).
Best,
Niklas, who needs to change signature....