Blandys 1976 Terrantez Vintage Madeira

Wine information: This is a special order item and can take 5 days or more for delivery. Please telephone 01329 822733 for availabilty.

The Blandy family has played a leading role in the development of Madeira wine throughout its long history and in the economic development of this remote Atlantic Island. The family continues today to live on Madeira, maintaining a tradition that goes back to 1811. Vintage (or Frasquiera) Madeira must be aged in cask for a minimum of 20 years, in practise they are aged for much longer, before being bottled under Madeira Wine Institute supervision. The wine must then be aged in bottle for a further two years before being released for sale. Madeira is a complex, interesting wine and is made in virtually every vintage. Due to the unique estufagem aging process Madeira is one of the longest-lived wines and also improves for days after opening, but will keep, once opened, for a month and more in a decanter. It makes an ideal wedding or anniversary present. This wine is 100% Terrantez, which is now a very rare grape variety.

Tasting Notes: "Blandys Vintage Terrantez 1976 is a single harvest Madeira. This wine was aged for 21 years in seasoned American oak casks in the traditional ‘Canteiro’ system, whereby the casks were gradually transferred from the top floors of the lodge, where it is naturally warmer, to the middle floors and eventually to the ground floor where it is cooler. The wine was regularly racked and when it reached the desired stage of maturity it was bottled. Clear, topaz colour with golden green highlights. Characteristic Madeira bouquet, with dried fruits, toffee, wood and spices. Medium sweet with a clean and sharp acidity. Long aftertaste with notes of spices." Blandy's own notes.

Reviews: "One of the two lost grapes of Madeira – the other one is coming up – as it is difficult to grow and so was very sparsely replanted after Phyloxerra. The colour was the deepest yet, almost mahogany. The nose was lifted and smoky with black treacle and molasses, coffee, caramel and figs. The palate was amazing with buttery toffee, raisins, with layers of fresh, lively peach every now and again. The clean acidity kept it all fresh and the finish balanced coffee and caramel. Beautifully balanced and delicious" 94/100 points, Quentin Sadler, Quentin Sadler's Wine Pages

from www.farehamwinedirect.co.uk

 
     

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