Tag Archives: madeira

Fanal Madeira Rainwater Old Reserve 10 year NV, Madeira, Portugal

06 Wednesday Nov 2024

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Pale amber with purple and copper hues and high viscosity (18% ABV).  The nose has intense aromas of walnuts, caramel, raisins, prune, desiccated lemon peel, dried flowers and railroad tie shavings.  The palate is medium sweet with a full body and medium (+) acidity.  An intriguing set of flavors layer themselves on the tip of my tongue- a melange of dried nuts, dessicated fruit, dried lemon pith and that unique shaved railroad tie note.  The finish is long but the wine is a touch thinner than other styles of Madeira so it runs lean and slightly tart from the acidity.  Unique stuff with history as to how it is made and why this style evolved.  My boss brought it from Madeira.   Price-wise I believe it was in the $30 range.  Getting 91 points from me makes it a 5 star effort to search out if you want to try something different.  Drink for the next 50 years!  Salut.

Fanal Madeira Rainwater

Broadbent Rainwater Medium Dry NV, Madeira, Portugal

15 Saturday Apr 2023

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Medium amber with high viscosity legs (19% ABV).  The nose has medium intensity aromas of dried prune, nuts, raisins, saline and an almost Flor-like note.  The palate is off-dry with high acidity and a full body.  The alcohol is noticeable right off the bat, but then I start to get flavors of warm nuts, dried raisins and prunes, an oxidized character with some dried lemon peel and pith.  The wine has weight yet is very sprite- the lightness is refreshing in a strange way.  The finish is medium in length and a touch hot, which is to be expected from a fortified wine of this level.  At $18 it is a great aperitif alternative that gets 88 points from me and 4 stars.  Drink this non-vintage Tinta Negra wine on purchase.  Salut….

Broadbent 10 Years Old Malmsey, Madeira, Portugal

02 Sunday Apr 2023

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Pale Amber in the glass with a very viscous sheen on the walls. The nose has pronounced aromas of walnuts, caramel, dark chocolate paste, raisins, prunes, almond skin and a touch of heat. The palate is sweet and luscious with medium acidity. Confirming the flavors on this full bodied wine that finishes long, the almond bitterness I got on the nose translates to the back end and it’s delicious. 93 points for this silky treat that runs $50 makes it a 4 star effort.  Enjoy with dessert or cheese tray.  Salut….

Sandeman Fine Rich Madeira NV, Portugal

08 Saturday Oct 2022

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This is my first go at Madeira, which I bought after looking for some Port to add to my Beef Short-rib stock.  This bottling is pale to medium amber colored, it reminds me of the stone Tigers Eye.  As to be expected from a fortified wine (19%ABV), the legs are very slow moving and thick.  The nose has intense aromas of nuts, caramel, sea air and a touch of yeast.  The palate is dry tasting but very rich with nuts, treacle, stewed black fruit, brine and prune syrup.  It is mouth coating with medium tannins and medium (-) acidity.  The alcohol hits on the back end where it is tingling the sides of my tongue.  Finish-wise this wine has a long ending (30+ seconds).  Seeing as it’s my first go I can’t really pass judgement, but if you like Oloroso Sherry crossed with Tawny Port, this might be up your alley.  For $18 it’s not going to break the bank trying something new as a dessert wine or for enriching a beef stock.  I like it!  Salut….