A new Colheita or Vintage Madeira? Then I’m like a child on Christmas Eve with all the anticipation that follows. It’s a great joy to taste something just released and I know the producers are as excited. After all; it’s hardly an every day event. It’s easy to write a new post about these wines. It’s just as easy to forget writing about those wines which, with unfailing loyalty more or less, always stands there on the shelves – and delivers. Let’s highlight and salute the blends!
Whether you go for a 10 years Old Sercial, Verdelho, Bual or Malvasia – they are all in many ways the perfect Madeira. They have the age and yet offers vibrant fruit, the concentration adds depth, they’re often elegant wines and pairs well with several dishes. And they do smell and taste of the grape which is put on the label. In other words, wines that seldomly disappoints. One I regard highly is the 10 Years Old Verdelho from Vinhos Barbeito. It’s so versatile and a great pairing with hard cheeses of age, mushrooms, creamy soups, salame…or on it’s own.
10 Years Old Verdelho, Vinhos Barbeito
Transparent light amber color. Expressive nose with oriental spices, a stone fruits feel, flowers, iodine and walnuts. Slightly chilled, it is such a refreshing sniff. On the palate an immediate sweetness attack, but this is quickly pressed back by the backbone of the wine, the lime like acidity. Clove, ginger and nutmeg mixes with wet earth and tobacco. Some lime peel and pears as well. A seductive and mouthwatering fruitiness on the finale. The impression is an almost feather light wine when tasting it, but there’s no reason to question the concentration. It’s there, for sure. The 10 Years Old Verdelho is so easy to like and a crazy good buy considering its price.
Sourced from the north, at São Vicente, and from the westernmost part of the island, Prazeres, this Verdelho is just below 70 grams of sugar.
Look at the blends as Madeira’s house Champagnes. Their aim is to provide you with a consistent house style – and the very reason why you continue buying them; you know what you get. And yes, to produce these wines a skillful nose and palate is a must!
Mad about Madeira impression: 92 points
You can find the original post at: madaboutmadeira.org/vinhos-barbeito-the-10-years-old-verdelho/
