TN: 1950 Fajã dos Padres Vineyard Terrantez Vintage Madeira

Post by **Roy Hersh** » Thu Mar 30, 2006 5:55 pm

1950 Fajã dos Padres Vineyard Terrantez - It is not often that we get to see a single vineyard Vintage Madeira these days. This bottling is from one of the greatest, yet least known vineyard sites anywhere in the world. Fajã dos Padres may not have produced any Madeira, no less Terrantez, since this wine was produced. Rare Wine Co. (http://www.rarewineco.com) offered this wine and only had 2 or 3 cases for the entire USA. There were another couple of cases being offered by the finest Madeira merchant in Europe, but these babies are rare and now all gone.

I received mine at the end of last week and could not resist. Within five minutes of my doorbell ringing with the delivery, I was in my cellar opening the bottle and taking a sip. I have had a few ounces in various types of glassware, every day since the bottle arrived a week ago. It was important for me to see how this bottle evolved and take careful note of my own perceptions along the way. I was also fortunate enough to be able to share some with 7 friends who were here for a wine tasting early in the week. They seemed quite pleased.

Normally Vintage Madeiras have a way of disappearing within 12-48 hours of opening the bottle, in our home. I wish I had more self-control with Madeira like some friends who are able to somehow keep bottles open for many months. This was the longest I have kept ANY bottle of wine open and unfinished, in my life.

Now onto the tasting note:

The color is a beautiful orange-amber like a glowing fireplace, fading to yellow on the meniscus. This Madeira offered terrific and heady aromas reminiscent of citrus peel, herbs and a roasted note along with Toschi Nocello (which is a wild walnut liqueur), It is hard to describe the ever changing stylish nature of the aromatics of this wine, simply amazing. Lighter in VA than other Terrantez I have had, the incredible freshness of this wine was not lost on this enthusiast. Its rich yet delicate approach was not linear, as one moment this Terrantez tantalized the tongue while with the very next sip I found myself just rolling this around in my mouth to enjoy the voluptuous texture. True to its roots, it introduces a slight hint of bitter-sweetness almost akin to Verdelho, but with a touch more RS. The initially restrained palate provided a laser-beam of intensely focused, yet soft acidity, which carried caramelized flavors along with dry notes of roasted chestnuts and walnuts. This is an extraordinarily elegant wine and a structural masterpiece that would've made Frank Lloyd Wright proud, while delivering an insanely long and drying finish that provides the insight into its delicate subtleties. 97 points

Marco D. · Post by **Marco D.** » Fri Mar 31, 2006 3:45 pm

Thanks for taking one for the team! Sounds like a special wine.

Richard Henderson · Post by **Richard Henderson** » Fri Mar 31, 2006 9:25 pm

Roy, Where do you find this?

Post by **Roy Hersh** » Sun Apr 02, 2006 10:42 am

Richard,

As soon as it was released I publicized it big time so that folks would be able to get their one bottle from Rare Wine Company. Their 3 cases for the USA sold out very quickly. The good news is that out of the 36 bottles for the 50 states, I think the folks from FTLOP wound up with a good success rate. You might find someone offering one on winecommune.com or some other auction ... but real Madeira lovers would never sell something like this.

Richard Henderson · Post by **Richard Henderson** » Sun Apr 02, 2006 11:36 am

Well as you know Roy, my antennae are ususally up. Somehow I missed that one. Maybe I was traveling in Scotland

.

Note, while our laws in Texas seemed to have eased for direct shipping, the TABC clamped down and threatened prosecution. Seems the law allows out of state shipment to Texas from WINERIES only.

Rare Wine Co. is not shipping to Texas now.

Post by **Andy Velebil** » Sun Apr 02, 2006 2:12 pm

Roy,

Thanks again for opening this very special bottle so all of us could read your tasting note. I am salivating for the time when I open mine. Thanks again.

Post by **Roy Hersh** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 11:59 pm

Andy,

All I can say ... is wait for a VERY special event like your 50th birthday. It will only continue to improve in bottle, so there is no hurry if you wanted to wait until your 70th birthday. This is one impressive and rare bottle you and others here have purchased.

Paul Day · Post by **Paul Day** » Tue Aug 08, 2006 2:19 pm

I'm not sure how and if this will improve in bottle. But it is a great wine now.
It is better than Acciaioly 1802. Hauntingly beautiful and harmonious.
Acciaioly 1802 seems clumsy, too powerful, too old, alongside.
Delicious. But then so are many of the Jardim Fernandes Verdelhos too.
I would every bottle released of this wine tomorrow if I could.

Post by **Roy Hersh** » Wed Aug 09, 2006 1:29 am

Paul,

I will gladly trade you two bottles of the aforementioned 1950 Terrantez for one of the 1802 Acciaioly. Anytime.

Marco D. · Post by **Marco D.** » Wed Aug 09, 2006 6:10 am

Paul Day wrote:I'm not sure how and if this will improve in bottle. But it is a great wine now.
It is better than Acciaioly 1802. Hauntingly beautiful and harmonious.
Acciaioly 1802 seems clumsy, too powerful, too old, alongside.
Delicious. But then so are many of the Jardim Fernandes Verdelhos too.
I would every bottle released of this wine tomorrow if I could.

Wow... strong words there Paul. :)

Considering how much I love the 1802 Acciaioly, I can't wait to try the 1950 Terrantez.