Henriques and Henriques Single Harvest 1995 Fine Rich Madeira

Notes - H&H is the third largest Madeira producer and significantly the only one that owns its own vineyards. Under the stewardship of John Cossart and trophy-winning winemaker Luis Pereira H&H has forged forward creating definitive Madeiras and has also integrated modern production techniques. Madeira starts life as fermenting must and is then fortified, either to arrest fermentation for a Malmsey or a Bual, or after fermenting out, in the case of Sercial or a Verdelho (to a minimum of 17% alcohol) and undergoes its own very special maturation process. This Madeira is predominantly Tinta Negra Mole. The resulting wine then undergoes the "Estufa Process" - The unique character of Madeira was discovered in the 15th Century, when Madeira wines were used as victuals for ship’s companies, stored in the holds of caravels. The blowsy heat of the ship’s hold was found to have dramatically improved the wines, making them richer and more complex, as well as proving them to be the most stable in heat. This also demonstrated the great ageing potential that they had. The wines are estufa’d usually for 3 months in termperatures rising to 45ºC before being allowed to cool. Maturation then starts in wooden casks, which need not be topped up. The wines are not bottled until they are at least 3 years old. This 15 year old Single Harvest (or Colheita) is deep gold and has a fine, honeyed, almost muscat nose, with spirit well hidden. Lovely, luscious fruity wine with attractive nose and good length. Serve chilled as an aperitif or digestif. "Henriques & Henriques Single Harvest Madeira 1995. And now for something completely different - sticky-toffee-pudding delights of the 1995 H&H Fine Rich Single Harvest Madeira. Made from Madeira's Tinta Negra Mole grape, smoky toffee aromas are pursued by complex flavours of toffee apple and caramel, framed by the tangy fresh acidity for which Madeira is renowned." Anthony Rose, The Independent, December 2006.
 
     

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