**1901 D’Oliveira Malvasia Madeira:** The oldest anything I’ve tried, lucky enough to have a sip of a friend’s bottle. Absolutely wild stuff— this great grandpa’s got legs. 90 years in cask, 30+ in bottle, and still bursting with life. Deep, dark mahogany in the glass with an edge of burnt amber. Nose is a swirl of molasses, burnt sugar, antique furniture polish, roasted nuts, and dried figs. The palate is a divine, viscous onslaught -classic madeira notes of rich caramel, espresso, dark chocolate, spice, some umami cut through with an almost shocking level of acidity that keeps it impossibly fresh for its 120+ years. Finish lingers forever. Madeira is so cool.
**1976 CVNE Imperial Rioja Gran Reserva:** A bottle that shows why old-school Rioja is one of the most reliable, best value aging wines out there. I was worried it might be over the hill, but turns out very much alive. It’s delicate now but still carries weight, and every sip brought out something new. A lovely, classic nose of dried red fruits, iron, balsamic, old leather, plus the forest floor-iness of age. On the palate, it starts out deceptively light for a beat, but then the structure kicks in—decent acidity, fine tannins still holding, and a surprisingly long, evolving finish. A surprising bright spot of red fruit at the end. Pairs nicely with good company and good jamon 🙂
Serpico2
I have fallen down the Madeira rabbit hole and it has made me much poorer lol
That said, it’s so delicious and fascinating. I’m going to Portugal in two months and can’t wait to have some interesting sips.
JJxiv15
I had a 2016 of that Foreau DCN a few months back in Vegas, absolutely exquisite stuff. Great sweet Vouvray!
LeadingFollowing2564
I fucking love Madeira. Convinced my wife to honeymoon there. Stuff lives forever, tastes unlike anything else.
4 Comments
**1901 D’Oliveira Malvasia Madeira:** The oldest anything I’ve tried, lucky enough to have a sip of a friend’s bottle. Absolutely wild stuff— this great grandpa’s got legs. 90 years in cask, 30+ in bottle, and still bursting with life. Deep, dark mahogany in the glass with an edge of burnt amber. Nose is a swirl of molasses, burnt sugar, antique furniture polish, roasted nuts, and dried figs. The palate is a divine, viscous onslaught -classic madeira notes of rich caramel, espresso, dark chocolate, spice, some umami cut through with an almost shocking level of acidity that keeps it impossibly fresh for its 120+ years. Finish lingers forever. Madeira is so cool.
**1976 CVNE Imperial Rioja Gran Reserva:** A bottle that shows why old-school Rioja is one of the most reliable, best value aging wines out there. I was worried it might be over the hill, but turns out very much alive. It’s delicate now but still carries weight, and every sip brought out something new. A lovely, classic nose of dried red fruits, iron, balsamic, old leather, plus the forest floor-iness of age. On the palate, it starts out deceptively light for a beat, but then the structure kicks in—decent acidity, fine tannins still holding, and a surprisingly long, evolving finish. A surprising bright spot of red fruit at the end. Pairs nicely with good company and good jamon 🙂
I have fallen down the Madeira rabbit hole and it has made me much poorer lol
That said, it’s so delicious and fascinating. I’m going to Portugal in two months and can’t wait to have some interesting sips.
I had a 2016 of that Foreau DCN a few months back in Vegas, absolutely exquisite stuff. Great sweet Vouvray!
I fucking love Madeira. Convinced my wife to honeymoon there. Stuff lives forever, tastes unlike anything else.