Rare Colheita & Vintage Madeira releases from Blandy's cellars
Last week we experienced one of the rare privileges that the wine trade affords, in the form of a tasting with Francisco Albuquerque, head winemaker for Blandy's, Madeira's most famous house. Francisco (pictured in his natural element, above) was in the UK to show the latest releases of single-harvest (Colheita) and Vintage Madeiras.
Francisco explained that each year, he and his team will taste around 2000 casks of Madeira, making decisions on which need topping-up, due to evaporation; and that as part of this process, he will assess the oldest reserve wines in the cellars. When he feels they have reached their optimum point of concentration and complexity, he will make the decision to bottle them; hence wines like the 1995, 1991, 1990, 1982 and 1976 are released for the first time as Vintages.
Alongside the Vintage wines, Francisco showed us this year's Colheita releases. Whereas Vintage Madeira must be aged for at least 20 years in cask and two years in bottle, Colheita Madeira can be released after five years in barrel and one in bottle (these Colheitas were aged for ten years). Although the 2010 Colheitas are relatively youthful, the quality of the base wines used to make them is extremely high,
If your experience of fine Madeira is limited, you will be startled by the complexity and layers of flavour that the wines carry. The volcanic nature of the island shines through in the intense minerality and of the high-quality base wines, sourced from small growers around the island. We also noticed intense saline notes. Francisco explained that the proximity of the sea leads to high potassium content in the soils, producing succinic acids during fermentation, which give this salty effect on the palate.
Layer after layer of flavour develops during the ten years of ageing in the 'canteiro' system. The wines mature slowly in American oak casks in lofts, warmed by the sun in Funchal. 7% of the wine is lost each year to evaporation, steadily concentrating the wine. The casks are kept just shy of full, with expert judgement, to create carefully controlled oxidation, adding further complexity. You can read more about how the wines are made below.
The resulting wines are practically ageless once in bottle. They provide a wonderful way to mark important family occasions, but these are also wines to share and enjoy day-to-day. The acidity of the drier styles Verdelho and Sercial makes them a versatile match for sushi, feathered game and pâtés, whilst the richer Malmseys and Buals can be the most amazing matches for cheeses.
The Vintages have a quality unique to Madeira, capturing the essence of a year with a freshness and agelessness which we do not experience with any other wine style. Vintages like the 1982 and 1976 are both delicious and quite moving to taste.
Fewer than 3000 bottles of each Colheita have been produced, and only around 1000 of each vintage. Our offer includes highly practical half bottles, as well as magnums and double magnums, for marking important events. All in limited quantities. Also offered is the 1995 Malmsey from Cossart Gordon, co-owned by the Blandy's family and bottled by Francisco.
Offered pre-landing, available by January 2024.
Producer Profile
Blandy's, Madeira
Blandy's and Cossart Gordon are both owned by the Madeira Wine Company, established in 1913 and owned by the Blandy family. Cossart Gordon is the island's oldest shipper, established in 1745 by a Scot. John Blandy arrived in Madeira in 1808 and initially worked for Cossart Gordon, before establishing Blandy's in 1811. The business has been owned by the Blandy family for seven generations.
Madeira’s location in the Atlantic made it an important strategic port, leading to rapid growth of exports of the island’s wines. It was so popular in the USA that in the 18th century, Madeira wine is reported to have represented over 75% of all wine imported into this market.
Two-thirds of the island is designated as National Park and the steep, volcanic mountain slopes mean only a small area is suitable for viticulture, just 460 hectares. Blandy's sources its grapes from the islands' small growers, each with vineyard holdings of between just 0.2 and 6 hectares.
The white Verdelho, Sercial, Bual and Malmsey grapes are fermented in stainless steel, after varying degrees of skin contact. The fermentation is stopped using neutral alcohol; after just 1-2 days for the richer styles (leaving high residual sugars) or after up to around 7 days for the drier styles. Commercial wines are heated using the 'Estufagem' process to impart the distinctive 'cooked' character. Estufagem was developed to replicate the process by which Madeira acquired its style in the 17th an 18th centuries. Casks of Madeira transported to the Americas in ships' holds acquired a pleasant 'cooked' character, and in time it became common practice to age the wine by using it as ballast, sometimes crossing the equator several times before eventual bottling. This became known as 'vinho da roda' or wine of the round voyage. For modern fine Maderia, maturation is achieved through long ageing in warm lofts in Funchal, the 'Canteiro' system, named after the 'cantilevered' beams that protrude into the lofts, supporting the roofs.
During the oxidative ageing, the naturally high acidity and low pH of the base wines interacts with the alcohols to produce volatile acids (VA). This esterification process adds unique complexity to the wines.
| FORTIFIED | 1954 | 1 bottle | Malmsey Cossart | 75cl | £450 per bottle | Malmsey Cossart 1954 / 1 bottle / 75cl £450 per bottle |
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| FORTIFIED | 1976 | 1 bottle | Blandy's - Bual | 75cl | £275 per bottle | Blandy's Bual 1976 / 1 bottle / 75cl £275 per bottle |
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Tasting Notes"The Blandy’s 1976 Bual was aged for 46 years in very old oak casks. This bottling is limited to 983 bottles plus assorted larger formats. It has a generous bouquet with a lovely warmth. Allspice intermixes with cardamom, curry leaf, dried honey and light wood varnish scents that become more prominent with time. The palate is beautifully balanced with heart-warming purity. With fine tannins and a gentle grip, this is very harmonious, with just the right amount of spice to enliven the finish. Not the most outgoing Bual you will find, almost low-key in a way, yet you’ll keep coming back for another sip. Divine. 94 points" Neal Martin,Vinous.com------"Grapes from Calheta on the south coast: deep amber / mahogany; rich and profound on the nose with dried fruit compote and heady intensity; wonderful intensity of flavour, the tang of tawny marmalade and powerful richness (115 g/l residual sugar) offset by bracing acidity which persists in parallel with dried fruit richness all the way through the finish. This goes on and on. Glorious wine: one of a Blandy quartet from this successful vintage. Some wines from this era have more than a touch of rancio about them but this is clean and focused. 19/20 points." Richard Mayson |
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| FORTIFIED | 1976 | Blandy's - Bual | Magnum | £520 per bottle | Blandy's Bual 1976 / / Magnum £520 per bottle |
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Tasting Notes"The Blandy’s 1976 Bual was aged for 46 years in very old oak casks. This bottling is limited to 983 bottles plus assorted larger formats. It has a generous bouquet with a lovely warmth. Allspice intermixes with cardamom, curry leaf, dried honey and light wood varnish scents that become more prominent with time. The palate is beautifully balanced with heart-warming purity. With fine tannins and a gentle grip, this is very harmonious, with just the right amount of spice to enliven the finish. Not the most outgoing Bual you will find, almost low-key in a way, yet you’ll keep coming back for another sip. Divine. 94 points" Neal Martin,Vinous.com------"Grapes from Calheta on the south coast: deep amber / mahogany; rich and profound on the nose with dried fruit compote and heady intensity; wonderful intensity of flavour, the tang of tawny marmalade and powerful richness (115 g/l residual sugar) offset by bracing acidity which persists in parallel with dried fruit richness all the way through the finish. This goes on and on. Glorious wine: one of a Blandy quartet from this successful vintage. Some wines from this era have more than a touch of rancio about them but this is clean and focused. 19/20 points." Richard Mayson |
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| FORTIFIED | 1976 | Blandy's - Bual | Half bottle | £846 per case of 6 | Blandy's Bual 1976 / / Half bottle £846 per case of 6 |
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Tasting Notes"The Blandy’s 1976 Bual was aged for 46 years in very old oak casks. This bottling is limited to 983 bottles plus assorted larger formats. It has a generous bouquet with a lovely warmth. Allspice intermixes with cardamom, curry leaf, dried honey and light wood varnish scents that become more prominent with time. The palate is beautifully balanced with heart-warming purity. With fine tannins and a gentle grip, this is very harmonious, with just the right amount of spice to enliven the finish. Not the most outgoing Bual you will find, almost low-key in a way, yet you’ll keep coming back for another sip. Divine. 94 points" Neal Martin,Vinous.com------"Grapes from Calheta on the south coast: deep amber / mahogany; rich and profound on the nose with dried fruit compote and heady intensity; wonderful intensity of flavour, the tang of tawny marmalade and powerful richness (115 g/l residual sugar) offset by bracing acidity which persists in parallel with dried fruit richness all the way through the finish. This goes on and on. Glorious wine: one of a Blandy quartet from this successful vintage. Some wines from this era have more than a touch of rancio about them but this is clean and focused. 19/20 points." Richard Mayson |
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| FORTIFIED | 1976 | Blandy's - Bual | Double Magnums | £1,025 per bottle | Blandy's Bual 1976 / / Double Magnums £1,025 per bottle |
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Tasting Notes"The Blandy’s 1976 Bual was aged for 46 years in very old oak casks. This bottling is limited to 983 bottles plus assorted larger formats. It has a generous bouquet with a lovely warmth. Allspice intermixes with cardamom, curry leaf, dried honey and light wood varnish scents that become more prominent with time. The palate is beautifully balanced with heart-warming purity. With fine tannins and a gentle grip, this is very harmonious, with just the right amount of spice to enliven the finish. Not the most outgoing Bual you will find, almost low-key in a way, yet you’ll keep coming back for another sip. Divine. 94 points" Neal Martin,Vinous.com------"Grapes from Calheta on the south coast: deep amber / mahogany; rich and profound on the nose with dried fruit compote and heady intensity; wonderful intensity of flavour, the tang of tawny marmalade and powerful richness (115 g/l residual sugar) offset by bracing acidity which persists in parallel with dried fruit richness all the way through the finish. This goes on and on. Glorious wine: one of a Blandy quartet from this successful vintage. Some wines from this era have more than a touch of rancio about them but this is clean and focused. 19/20 points." Richard Mayson |
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| FORTIFIED | 1976 | Blandy's - Bual | 75cl | £1,542 per case of 6 | Blandy's Bual 1976 / / 75cl £1,542 per case of 6 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"The Blandy’s 1976 Bual was aged for 46 years in very old oak casks. This bottling is limited to 983 bottles plus assorted larger formats. It has a generous bouquet with a lovely warmth. Allspice intermixes with cardamom, curry leaf, dried honey and light wood varnish scents that become more prominent with time. The palate is beautifully balanced with heart-warming purity. With fine tannins and a gentle grip, this is very harmonious, with just the right amount of spice to enliven the finish. Not the most outgoing Bual you will find, almost low-key in a way, yet you’ll keep coming back for another sip. Divine. 94 points" Neal Martin,Vinous.com------"Grapes from Calheta on the south coast: deep amber / mahogany; rich and profound on the nose with dried fruit compote and heady intensity; wonderful intensity of flavour, the tang of tawny marmalade and powerful richness (115 g/l residual sugar) offset by bracing acidity which persists in parallel with dried fruit richness all the way through the finish. This goes on and on. Glorious wine: one of a Blandy quartet from this successful vintage. Some wines from this era have more than a touch of rancio about them but this is clean and focused. 19/20 points." Richard Mayson |
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| FORTIFIED | 1982 | 1 bottle | Blandy's - Verdelho | 75cl | £230 per bottle | Blandy's Verdelho 1982 / 1 bottle / 75cl £230 per bottle |
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Tasting Notes"The Blandy’s 1982 Verdelho contains 108g/L residual sugar and was aged for 40 years in very old oak casks. Deep amber in color, it has a well-defined, mellow bouquet with mahogany antique bureau, crème brûlée, singed leather and bonfire aromas that cohere nicely in the glass. The palate is very well balanced with fine tannins and just the right amount of acidity to counter that sweet edge on the finish. This feels like an animated Verdelho, with impressive tension and real finesse coming through toward its slight oxidative finish. This is a classy offering. 1,206 bottles produced. 93 points" Neal Martin,Vinous.com------"From grapes grown at Porto Moniz on the north west corner of the island: deep amber - mahogany; lifted with immediacy on the nose, spiced prune, date and dried fig richness come singing from the glass, verging on high-toned (1.3 g/l volatile acidity); glorious quince marmalade richness (108 g/l residual sugar) and intensity offset by penetrating rapier-like acidity, backed by bitter-sweet astringency, lovely focus mid-palate with a long, fresh multi-dimensional finish redolent of dried apricots and citrus. Beautifully poised. 19/20 points." Richard Mayson------"Smells of manuka honey and molasses-sticky gingerbread, of heady tropical-rainforest flowers and glue. Spinning with intensity, luminous, like liquid jacquard silk, lacquered inlaid wood; absolutely shimmering with life. It holds in the mouth with the trembling, almost-spilling tension of a dewdrop on a spider's web as dawn light shafts through it turning gold into green and pink into red and blue shadows into indigo. Peach, apricot, warm pecans, cinnamon and the forest-floor scents that rise up cool and yet warm as you kick through the crisp crackle of coppery autumn leaves. Just stunning. 19 points" jancisrobinson.com (TC) |
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| FORTIFIED | 1982 | Blandy's - Verdelho | Magnum | £440 per bottle | Blandy's Verdelho 1982 / / Magnum £440 per bottle |
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Tasting Notes"The Blandy’s 1982 Verdelho contains 108g/L residual sugar and was aged for 40 years in very old oak casks. Deep amber in color, it has a well-defined, mellow bouquet with mahogany antique bureau, crème brûlée, singed leather and bonfire aromas that cohere nicely in the glass. The palate is very well balanced with fine tannins and just the right amount of acidity to counter that sweet edge on the finish. This feels like an animated Verdelho, with impressive tension and real finesse coming through toward its slight oxidative finish. This is a classy offering. 1,206 bottles produced. 93 points" Neal Martin,Vinous.com------"From grapes grown at Porto Moniz on the north west corner of the island: deep amber - mahogany; lifted with immediacy on the nose, spiced prune, date and dried fig richness come singing from the glass, verging on high-toned (1.3 g/l volatile acidity); glorious quince marmalade richness (108 g/l residual sugar) and intensity offset by penetrating rapier-like acidity, backed by bitter-sweet astringency, lovely focus mid-palate with a long, fresh multi-dimensional finish redolent of dried apricots and citrus. Beautifully poised. 19/20 points." Richard Mayson------"Smells of manuka honey and molasses-sticky gingerbread, of heady tropical-rainforest flowers and glue. Spinning with intensity, luminous, like liquid jacquard silk, lacquered inlaid wood; absolutely shimmering with life. It holds in the mouth with the trembling, almost-spilling tension of a dewdrop on a spider's web as dawn light shafts through it turning gold into green and pink into red and blue shadows into indigo. Peach, apricot, warm pecans, cinnamon and the forest-floor scents that rise up cool and yet warm as you kick through the crisp crackle of coppery autumn leaves. Just stunning. 19 points" jancisrobinson.com (TC) |
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| FORTIFIED | 1982 | Blandy's - Verdelho | Half bottle | £684 per case of 6 | Blandy's Verdelho 1982 / / Half bottle £684 per case of 6 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"The Blandy’s 1982 Verdelho contains 108g/L residual sugar and was aged for 40 years in very old oak casks. Deep amber in color, it has a well-defined, mellow bouquet with mahogany antique bureau, crème brûlée, singed leather and bonfire aromas that cohere nicely in the glass. The palate is very well balanced with fine tannins and just the right amount of acidity to counter that sweet edge on the finish. This feels like an animated Verdelho, with impressive tension and real finesse coming through toward its slight oxidative finish. This is a classy offering. 1,206 bottles produced. 93 points" Neal Martin,Vinous.com------"From grapes grown at Porto Moniz on the north west corner of the island: deep amber - mahogany; lifted with immediacy on the nose, spiced prune, date and dried fig richness come singing from the glass, verging on high-toned (1.3 g/l volatile acidity); glorious quince marmalade richness (108 g/l residual sugar) and intensity offset by penetrating rapier-like acidity, backed by bitter-sweet astringency, lovely focus mid-palate with a long, fresh multi-dimensional finish redolent of dried apricots and citrus. Beautifully poised. 19/20 points." Richard Mayson------"Smells of manuka honey and molasses-sticky gingerbread, of heady tropical-rainforest flowers and glue. Spinning with intensity, luminous, like liquid jacquard silk, lacquered inlaid wood; absolutely shimmering with life. It holds in the mouth with the trembling, almost-spilling tension of a dewdrop on a spider's web as dawn light shafts through it turning gold into green and pink into red and blue shadows into indigo. Peach, apricot, warm pecans, cinnamon and the forest-floor scents that rise up cool and yet warm as you kick through the crisp crackle of coppery autumn leaves. Just stunning. 19 points" jancisrobinson.com (TC) |
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| FORTIFIED | 1982 | Blandy's - Verdelho | 75cl | £1,290 per case of 6 | Blandy's Verdelho 1982 / / 75cl £1,290 per case of 6 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"The Blandy’s 1982 Verdelho contains 108g/L residual sugar and was aged for 40 years in very old oak casks. Deep amber in color, it has a well-defined, mellow bouquet with mahogany antique bureau, crème brûlée, singed leather and bonfire aromas that cohere nicely in the glass. The palate is very well balanced with fine tannins and just the right amount of acidity to counter that sweet edge on the finish. This feels like an animated Verdelho, with impressive tension and real finesse coming through toward its slight oxidative finish. This is a classy offering. 1,206 bottles produced. 93 points" Neal Martin,Vinous.com------"From grapes grown at Porto Moniz on the north west corner of the island: deep amber - mahogany; lifted with immediacy on the nose, spiced prune, date and dried fig richness come singing from the glass, verging on high-toned (1.3 g/l volatile acidity); glorious quince marmalade richness (108 g/l residual sugar) and intensity offset by penetrating rapier-like acidity, backed by bitter-sweet astringency, lovely focus mid-palate with a long, fresh multi-dimensional finish redolent of dried apricots and citrus. Beautifully poised. 19/20 points." Richard Mayson------"Smells of manuka honey and molasses-sticky gingerbread, of heady tropical-rainforest flowers and glue. Spinning with intensity, luminous, like liquid jacquard silk, lacquered inlaid wood; absolutely shimmering with life. It holds in the mouth with the trembling, almost-spilling tension of a dewdrop on a spider's web as dawn light shafts through it turning gold into green and pink into red and blue shadows into indigo. Peach, apricot, warm pecans, cinnamon and the forest-floor scents that rise up cool and yet warm as you kick through the crisp crackle of coppery autumn leaves. Just stunning. 19 points" jancisrobinson.com (TC) |
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| FORTIFIED | 1990 | Blandy's - Sercial | Magnum | £390 per bottle | Blandy's Sercial 1990 / / Magnum £390 per bottle |
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Tasting Notes"The Blandy’s 1990 Sercial was matured for 32 years in old casks and contains 55g/L residual sugar, limited to 1,206 bottles. Burnished amber in color, it has an appealing bouquet with hazelnut, smoke, light oxidative scents and a background note of pressed white flowers. The palate is well balanced with sour lemon, Seville orange marmalade and penetrating lemongrass notes that fire up the front of the tongue, mellowing toward a cohesive and prolonged finish. Maybe a bit more grip would not have gone amiss; nonetheless, this Sercial is delightful. 91 points" Neal Martin,Vinous.com------"Unusually the grapes for this wine come from Calheta on the south coast (presumably at a fairly high altitude); lovely deep amber colour, verging on nut brown; lifted on the nose, quite powerful and intense with roast almond and a touch of toffee and butterscotch; surprisingly full in flavour for a Sercial on the palate (55 g/l residual sugar) with fresh spiced, toffeed / caramelised flavours, the acidity cutting in midpalate (11 g/l residual sugar) leaving a typically astringent yet full greengage and apple finish. 17.5/20 points." Richard Mayson |
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| FORTIFIED | 1990 | Blandy's - Sercial | Half bottle | £606 per case of 6 | Blandy's Sercial 1990 / / Half bottle £606 per case of 6 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"The Blandy’s 1990 Sercial was matured for 32 years in old casks and contains 55g/L residual sugar, limited to 1,206 bottles. Burnished amber in color, it has an appealing bouquet with hazelnut, smoke, light oxidative scents and a background note of pressed white flowers. The palate is well balanced with sour lemon, Seville orange marmalade and penetrating lemongrass notes that fire up the front of the tongue, mellowing toward a cohesive and prolonged finish. Maybe a bit more grip would not have gone amiss; nonetheless, this Sercial is delightful. 91 points" Neal Martin,Vinous.com------"Unusually the grapes for this wine come from Calheta on the south coast (presumably at a fairly high altitude); lovely deep amber colour, verging on nut brown; lifted on the nose, quite powerful and intense with roast almond and a touch of toffee and butterscotch; surprisingly full in flavour for a Sercial on the palate (55 g/l residual sugar) with fresh spiced, toffeed / caramelised flavours, the acidity cutting in midpalate (11 g/l residual sugar) leaving a typically astringent yet full greengage and apple finish. 17.5/20 points." Richard Mayson |
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| FORTIFIED | 1990 | Blandy's - Sercial | Double Magnums | £750 per bottle | Blandy's Sercial 1990 / / Double Magnums £750 per bottle |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"The Blandy’s 1990 Sercial was matured for 32 years in old casks and contains 55g/L residual sugar, limited to 1,206 bottles. Burnished amber in color, it has an appealing bouquet with hazelnut, smoke, light oxidative scents and a background note of pressed white flowers. The palate is well balanced with sour lemon, Seville orange marmalade and penetrating lemongrass notes that fire up the front of the tongue, mellowing toward a cohesive and prolonged finish. Maybe a bit more grip would not have gone amiss; nonetheless, this Sercial is delightful. 91 points" Neal Martin,Vinous.com------"Unusually the grapes for this wine come from Calheta on the south coast (presumably at a fairly high altitude); lovely deep amber colour, verging on nut brown; lifted on the nose, quite powerful and intense with roast almond and a touch of toffee and butterscotch; surprisingly full in flavour for a Sercial on the palate (55 g/l residual sugar) with fresh spiced, toffeed / caramelised flavours, the acidity cutting in midpalate (11 g/l residual sugar) leaving a typically astringent yet full greengage and apple finish. 17.5/20 points." Richard Mayson |
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| FORTIFIED | 1990 | Blandy's - Sercial | 75cl | £1,146 per case of 6 | Blandy's Sercial 1990 / / 75cl £1,146 per case of 6 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"The Blandy’s 1990 Sercial was matured for 32 years in old casks and contains 55g/L residual sugar, limited to 1,206 bottles. Burnished amber in color, it has an appealing bouquet with hazelnut, smoke, light oxidative scents and a background note of pressed white flowers. The palate is well balanced with sour lemon, Seville orange marmalade and penetrating lemongrass notes that fire up the front of the tongue, mellowing toward a cohesive and prolonged finish. Maybe a bit more grip would not have gone amiss; nonetheless, this Sercial is delightful. 91 points" Neal Martin,Vinous.com------"Unusually the grapes for this wine come from Calheta on the south coast (presumably at a fairly high altitude); lovely deep amber colour, verging on nut brown; lifted on the nose, quite powerful and intense with roast almond and a touch of toffee and butterscotch; surprisingly full in flavour for a Sercial on the palate (55 g/l residual sugar) with fresh spiced, toffeed / caramelised flavours, the acidity cutting in midpalate (11 g/l residual sugar) leaving a typically astringent yet full greengage and apple finish. 17.5/20 points." Richard Mayson |
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| FORTIFIED | 1991 | 1 bottle | Blandy's - Malmsey | 75cl | £180 per bottle | Blandy's Malmsey 1991 / 1 bottle / 75cl £180 per bottle |
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Tasting Notes"The 1991 Malmsey from Blandy’s was aged 31 years in very old oak casks and contains 135g/L residual sugar. Quite pungent on the nose, it offers Seville orange marmalade, wood varnish, light sea spray scents and persimmon hints on the nose. This is well-focused with fine delineation. The palate is superb: mellifluous from the get-go, with a dash of Szechuan pepper that gets the tongue tingling. Lively, tensile with a wonderful unctuous finish. This feels long, powerful, and yet paradoxically tender. Highly recommended. 1,485 bottles produced. 95 points" Neal Martin,Vinous.com------"Malvasia from São Jorge on the north coast: deep amber with an olive-green glint; rich but restrained on the nose, fresh greengage with bolo de mel (honey cake) and spice; gloriously fresh crystalised and caramelised fruit, the richness (135g/l residual sugar) offset by the cut (but not the thrust) of racy apple and citrus acidity and a touch of astringency which persists on the finish. Magnificent Malvasia! 19.5/20 points." Richard Mayson |
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| FORTIFIED | 1991 | Blandy's - Malmsey | Magnum | £345 per bottle | Blandy's Malmsey 1991 / / Magnum £345 per bottle |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"The 1991 Malmsey from Blandy’s was aged 31 years in very old oak casks and contains 135g/L residual sugar. Quite pungent on the nose, it offers Seville orange marmalade, wood varnish, light sea spray scents and persimmon hints on the nose. This is well-focused with fine delineation. The palate is superb: mellifluous from the get-go, with a dash of Szechuan pepper that gets the tongue tingling. Lively, tensile with a wonderful unctuous finish. This feels long, powerful, and yet paradoxically tender. Highly recommended. 1,485 bottles produced. 95 points" Neal Martin,Vinous.com------"Malvasia from São Jorge on the north coast: deep amber with an olive-green glint; rich but restrained on the nose, fresh greengage with bolo de mel (honey cake) and spice; gloriously fresh crystalised and caramelised fruit, the richness (135g/l residual sugar) offset by the cut (but not the thrust) of racy apple and citrus acidity and a touch of astringency which persists on the finish. Magnificent Malvasia! 19.5/20 points." Richard Mayson |
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| FORTIFIED | 1991 | Blandy's - Malmsey | Half bottle | £540 per case of 6 | Blandy's Malmsey 1991 / / Half bottle £540 per case of 6 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"The 1991 Malmsey from Blandy’s was aged 31 years in very old oak casks and contains 135g/L residual sugar. Quite pungent on the nose, it offers Seville orange marmalade, wood varnish, light sea spray scents and persimmon hints on the nose. This is well-focused with fine delineation. The palate is superb: mellifluous from the get-go, with a dash of Szechuan pepper that gets the tongue tingling. Lively, tensile with a wonderful unctuous finish. This feels long, powerful, and yet paradoxically tender. Highly recommended. 1,485 bottles produced. 95 points" Neal Martin,Vinous.com------"Malvasia from São Jorge on the north coast: deep amber with an olive-green glint; rich but restrained on the nose, fresh greengage with bolo de mel (honey cake) and spice; gloriously fresh crystalised and caramelised fruit, the richness (135g/l residual sugar) offset by the cut (but not the thrust) of racy apple and citrus acidity and a touch of astringency which persists on the finish. Magnificent Malvasia! 19.5/20 points." Richard Mayson |
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| FORTIFIED | 1991 | Blandy's - Malmsey | Double Magnums | £665 per bottle | Blandy's Malmsey 1991 / / Double Magnums £665 per bottle |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"The 1991 Malmsey from Blandy’s was aged 31 years in very old oak casks and contains 135g/L residual sugar. Quite pungent on the nose, it offers Seville orange marmalade, wood varnish, light sea spray scents and persimmon hints on the nose. This is well-focused with fine delineation. The palate is superb: mellifluous from the get-go, with a dash of Szechuan pepper that gets the tongue tingling. Lively, tensile with a wonderful unctuous finish. This feels long, powerful, and yet paradoxically tender. Highly recommended. 1,485 bottles produced. 95 points" Neal Martin,Vinous.com------"Malvasia from São Jorge on the north coast: deep amber with an olive-green glint; rich but restrained on the nose, fresh greengage with bolo de mel (honey cake) and spice; gloriously fresh crystalised and caramelised fruit, the richness (135g/l residual sugar) offset by the cut (but not the thrust) of racy apple and citrus acidity and a touch of astringency which persists on the finish. Magnificent Malvasia! 19.5/20 points." Richard Mayson |
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| FORTIFIED | 1991 | Blandy's - Malmsey | 75cl | £1,008 per case of 6 | Blandy's Malmsey 1991 / / 75cl £1,008 per case of 6 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"The 1991 Malmsey from Blandy’s was aged 31 years in very old oak casks and contains 135g/L residual sugar. Quite pungent on the nose, it offers Seville orange marmalade, wood varnish, light sea spray scents and persimmon hints on the nose. This is well-focused with fine delineation. The palate is superb: mellifluous from the get-go, with a dash of Szechuan pepper that gets the tongue tingling. Lively, tensile with a wonderful unctuous finish. This feels long, powerful, and yet paradoxically tender. Highly recommended. 1,485 bottles produced. 95 points" Neal Martin,Vinous.com------"Malvasia from São Jorge on the north coast: deep amber with an olive-green glint; rich but restrained on the nose, fresh greengage with bolo de mel (honey cake) and spice; gloriously fresh crystalised and caramelised fruit, the richness (135g/l residual sugar) offset by the cut (but not the thrust) of racy apple and citrus acidity and a touch of astringency which persists on the finish. Magnificent Malvasia! 19.5/20 points." Richard Mayson |
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| FORTIFIED | 1995 | Cossart - Malmsey | Magnum | £300 per bottle | Cossart Malmsey 1995 / / Magnum £300 per bottle |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"The Cossart Gordon 1995 Malmsey, was aged for 27 years in very old oak casks and contains 128g/L residual sugar. It has an elegant bouquet with cloves, ginger, mandarin and a very slight acetic touch that just gives it a bit of lift. The palate is viscous on the entry with tangy marmalade and quince, desiccated orange peel, allspice and stem ginger. With fine grip and depth on the finish, this should drink well for two or three decades at least. Excellent. 1,337 bottles produced. 92 points" Neal Martin,Vinous.com------"Malvasia from São Jorge on the north coast: deep amber with an olive-green glint; rich- heady dried fruit compote on the nose with a hint of roasted coffee bean; intensely rich (128 g/l residual sugar) and figgy with the reassuring richness of good fruit cake mid-palate, a touch of astringency leading to a long, fresh, mellifluous finish. 18/20 points." Richard Mayson |
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| FORTIFIED | 1995 | Cossart - Malmsey | Half bottle | £468 per case of 6 | Cossart Malmsey 1995 / / Half bottle £468 per case of 6 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"The Cossart Gordon 1995 Malmsey, was aged for 27 years in very old oak casks and contains 128g/L residual sugar. It has an elegant bouquet with cloves, ginger, mandarin and a very slight acetic touch that just gives it a bit of lift. The palate is viscous on the entry with tangy marmalade and quince, desiccated orange peel, allspice and stem ginger. With fine grip and depth on the finish, this should drink well for two or three decades at least. Excellent. 1,337 bottles produced. 92 points" Neal Martin,Vinous.com------"Malvasia from São Jorge on the north coast: deep amber with an olive-green glint; rich- heady dried fruit compote on the nose with a hint of roasted coffee bean; intensely rich (128 g/l residual sugar) and figgy with the reassuring richness of good fruit cake mid-palate, a touch of astringency leading to a long, fresh, mellifluous finish. 18/20 points." Richard Mayson |
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| FORTIFIED | 1995 | Cossart - Malmsey | Double Magnums | £585 per bottle | Cossart Malmsey 1995 / / Double Magnums £585 per bottle |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"The Cossart Gordon 1995 Malmsey, was aged for 27 years in very old oak casks and contains 128g/L residual sugar. It has an elegant bouquet with cloves, ginger, mandarin and a very slight acetic touch that just gives it a bit of lift. The palate is viscous on the entry with tangy marmalade and quince, desiccated orange peel, allspice and stem ginger. With fine grip and depth on the finish, this should drink well for two or three decades at least. Excellent. 1,337 bottles produced. 92 points" Neal Martin,Vinous.com------"Malvasia from São Jorge on the north coast: deep amber with an olive-green glint; rich- heady dried fruit compote on the nose with a hint of roasted coffee bean; intensely rich (128 g/l residual sugar) and figgy with the reassuring richness of good fruit cake mid-palate, a touch of astringency leading to a long, fresh, mellifluous finish. 18/20 points." Richard Mayson |
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| FORTIFIED | 1995 | Cossart - Malmsey | 75cl | £882 per case of 6 | Cossart Malmsey 1995 / / 75cl £882 per case of 6 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"The Cossart Gordon 1995 Malmsey, was aged for 27 years in very old oak casks and contains 128g/L residual sugar. It has an elegant bouquet with cloves, ginger, mandarin and a very slight acetic touch that just gives it a bit of lift. The palate is viscous on the entry with tangy marmalade and quince, desiccated orange peel, allspice and stem ginger. With fine grip and depth on the finish, this should drink well for two or three decades at least. Excellent. 1,337 bottles produced. 92 points" Neal Martin,Vinous.com------"Malvasia from São Jorge on the north coast: deep amber with an olive-green glint; rich- heady dried fruit compote on the nose with a hint of roasted coffee bean; intensely rich (128 g/l residual sugar) and figgy with the reassuring richness of good fruit cake mid-palate, a touch of astringency leading to a long, fresh, mellifluous finish. 18/20 points." Richard Mayson |
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| FORTIFIED | 2010 | 2 bottles | Blandy's - Bual Colheita | 75cl | £65 per bottle | Blandy's Bual Colheita 2010 / 2 bottles / 75cl £65 per bottle |
DP | ||||
Tasting Notes"The Blandy’s 2010 Colheita Single Harvest Bual has 92g/L residual sugar and was aged for ten years in old oak casks. Despite encouragement, this is quite straight-laced on the nose and doesn’t feel the need to “come out and play.” The palate is mellifluous on the entry with a lovely texture, very smooth with judicious lemongrass and stem ginger that combine nicely with the marmalade and Clementine notes, but this is just a bit short on the finish. Fine. 2,933 bottles produced. 88 points" Neal Martin,Vinous.com------"Grapes from Calheta on the warmer south coast of Madeira: mid-amber with gently smoked, yet rich savoury-spicy aromas, quite seductive and evocative; lovely Elvas plum and quince marmalade richness (92 g/l residual sugar) with a spicy backdrop, balanced by fresh appley acidity and a long finish akin to a gently cinnamon-spiced Tarte Tatin. There is no substitute for age in Madeira but this shows great complexity for a colheita with a decade in wood. 18.5/20 points." Richard Mayson |
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| FORTIFIED | 2010 | Blandy's - Bual Colheita | 75cl | £330 per case of 6 | Blandy's Bual Colheita 2010 / / 75cl £330 per case of 6 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"The Blandy’s 2010 Colheita Single Harvest Bual has 92g/L residual sugar and was aged for ten years in old oak casks. Despite encouragement, this is quite straight-laced on the nose and doesn’t feel the need to “come out and play.” The palate is mellifluous on the entry with a lovely texture, very smooth with judicious lemongrass and stem ginger that combine nicely with the marmalade and Clementine notes, but this is just a bit short on the finish. Fine. 2,933 bottles produced. 88 points" Neal Martin,Vinous.com------"Grapes from Calheta on the warmer south coast of Madeira: mid-amber with gently smoked, yet rich savoury-spicy aromas, quite seductive and evocative; lovely Elvas plum and quince marmalade richness (92 g/l residual sugar) with a spicy backdrop, balanced by fresh appley acidity and a long finish akin to a gently cinnamon-spiced Tarte Tatin. There is no substitute for age in Madeira but this shows great complexity for a colheita with a decade in wood. 18.5/20 points." Richard Mayson |
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| FORTIFIED | 2010 | Blandy's - Malmsey Colheita | 75cl | £330 per case of 6 | Blandy's Malmsey Colheita 2010 / / 75cl £330 per case of 6 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"The Blandy’s 2010 Colheita Single Harvest Malmsey was aged for ten years in old oak casks and contains 112g/L residual sugar. It just doesn’t quite do it for me on the nose, missing a bit of presence and cohesion, somehow a bit ephemeral, which is not what I seek from a Malmsey. The palate is well balanced with modest weight, though it attenuates a little on the finish. I prefer the drier styles this year. 2,933 bottles produced. 86 points" Neal Martin,Vinous.com------"From São Jorge, the source of most Malvasia on the north side of the island: mid-deep amber with a gentle, slightly casky, dried fig character and a hint of malt whisky on the nose; dried fruit richness (dates and raisins) with some gently curried spice, the acidity cutting through and rising to leave a sweet yet mouth-watering finish. 17/20 points." Richard Mayson |
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| FORTIFIED | 2010 | Blandy's - Sercial Colheita | 75cl | £330 per case of 6 | Blandy's Sercial Colheita 2010 / / 75cl £330 per case of 6 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"The 2010 Blandy’s Colheita Single Harvest Sercial contains 50g/L residual sugar and is limited to 2,828 bottles for their 2023 release. The mellowness on the nose is endearing, with dried honey commingling with burnt apricot and linseed oil notes. The palate has a potent line of acidity, bitter lemon intermixed with orange rind, marmalade and stem ginger. It needs a bit more cohesion to bind it together on the finish. A bit uncompromising, chill this right down to serve as an aperitif with grilled nuts or even a strong blue cheese. 20% alcohol. 88 points" Neal Martin,Vinous.com------"Grapes from Seixal on the cool north coast of the island: mid-amber colour with gently toasted spiced walnut aromas and a hint of leather; wonderfully incisive crisp, savoury flavours, seemingly dry (50g/l) residual sugar with 8.3 g/l total acidity) with a hint of sultana and crystalised fruit on a long, racy yet delicate finish. 16.5/20 points." Richard Mayson |
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| FORTIFIED | 2010 | 3 bottles | Blandy's - Verdelho Colheita | 75cl | £65 per bottle | Blandy's Verdelho Colheita 2010 / 3 bottles / 75cl £65 per bottle |
DP | ||||
Tasting Notes"The 2010 Blandy’s Colheita Single Harvest Verdelho was aged for ten years in very old oak casks and contains 75g/L residual sugar. The nose offers dried peach skin, melted candle wax and wood varnish scents, well-defined and demonstrating a little more focus than its Sercial counterpart. The palate is superb. Seamlessly constructed with a pitch-perfect line of acidity, this just feels complete and effortless. This Verdelho comes highly recommended with gorgeous mandarin, dried honey, hazelnut notes and a slight oxidative edge on the finish. 2,523 bottles produced. 94 points" Neal Martin,Vinous.com------"Grapes from Porto Moniz on the north west corner of the island: mid-deep amber with a green glint; lovely lifted savoury-leathery aromas with a hint of dried apricots and raisins, very appetising; delicate leafy, greengage fruit, some richness (75g/l residual sugar) offset by zesty acidity which persists onto a long mouth-watering finish. Really lovely poise for a relatively young wine. 18/20 points." Richard Mayson------"Verdelho always tastes like the cello to Sercial's violin. Although the wine smells of wet, newly planed oak and crushed coriander seeds and dried sage, it tastes of sweet pickled ginger root and rosemary in orange syrup. Like the Sercial, there is an explosion of black pepper on the finish, but here it comes with satin ribbons of sour-cherry fruit with a deep, coppery glow. Tastes like midsummer sunrise. 17.5 points" jancisrobinson.com (TC) |
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| FORTIFIED | 2010 | Blandy's - Verdelho Colheita | 75cl | £330 per case of 6 | Blandy's Verdelho Colheita 2010 / / 75cl £330 per case of 6 |
IB | |||||
Tasting Notes"The 2010 Blandy’s Colheita Single Harvest Verdelho was aged for ten years in very old oak casks and contains 75g/L residual sugar. The nose offers dried peach skin, melted candle wax and wood varnish scents, well-defined and demonstrating a little more focus than its Sercial counterpart. The palate is superb. Seamlessly constructed with a pitch-perfect line of acidity, this just feels complete and effortless. This Verdelho comes highly recommended with gorgeous mandarin, dried honey, hazelnut notes and a slight oxidative edge on the finish. 2,523 bottles produced. 94 points" Neal Martin,Vinous.com------"Grapes from Porto Moniz on the north west corner of the island: mid-deep amber with a green glint; lovely lifted savoury-leathery aromas with a hint of dried apricots and raisins, very appetising; delicate leafy, greengage fruit, some richness (75g/l residual sugar) offset by zesty acidity which persists onto a long mouth-watering finish. Really lovely poise for a relatively young wine. 18/20 points." Richard Mayson------"Verdelho always tastes like the cello to Sercial's violin. Although the wine smells of wet, newly planed oak and crushed coriander seeds and dried sage, it tastes of sweet pickled ginger root and rosemary in orange syrup. Like the Sercial, there is an explosion of black pepper on the finish, but here it comes with satin ribbons of sour-cherry fruit with a deep, coppery glow. Tastes like midsummer sunrise. 17.5 points" jancisrobinson.com (TC) |
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