by Ray Johnson | May 17, 2010 | Fortified dessert, Port, Portugal, Single Quinta Port, Tawny Port
Dow’s, Porto, Quinta do Bomfim, Vintage 1996 The nose features brandied cherries, with a bit of prunes as well. In the mouth, the tannins have resolved yielding a silky yet warm dessert, with the beginning of some nuttiness. This is a single quinta wine, the grapes...
by Ray Johnson | May 17, 2010 | Fortified dessert, Madeira, Malmsey, Malvasia, Portugal
The Rare Wine Co., Madeira, Historic Series, New York Malmsey, Special Reserve nv The nose is smoky and dark, with brown sugar and more than a hint of the fortifying spirit. In the mouth, the pruny character is in full force, the alcohol is perfectly integrated, the...
by Ray Johnson | May 17, 2010 | Aperitif, Madeira, Portugal, Sercial
Blandy’s, Madeira, 5 Year Old, Sercial nv The nose features dried fruits and nuts, melding a sense of citrus and raisins with honey all wrapped into a nutty dessert. The complexity is great and always leads one down a garden path to expect loads of sweetness but we...