Verdelho

75cl * 21.0% ABV * Madeira, Portugal

Blandys was founded by John Blandy in 1811, and the winery continues to age wine from as far back as 1920 and maintaining a tradition that goes back to 1811, perfecting the balance between the wines natural acidity and residual sugar levels. Only 985 bottles have been releasedof thisrare, single-harvest Madeira produced in 1973 from 100% Verdelho. Bottled in 2014, with 80g/L residual sugar, the wine has matured for 41 years in seasoned American oak casks in the traditional Canteiro system, in which the wine is naturally heated by Madeiras subtropical climate at the Blandys lodge.

A crystalline amber-golden colour, Blandys Vintage Verdelho 1973 is mellow, rich and intense. it exudes incredibly complex notes of dried fruits, orange zest, exotic wood and spices. The palate is concentrated, medium-dry, with a remarkably long and extraordinary finish.

“Blandys has a hugely complex weave, with a notably nutty nose bolstered by leather, savoury concentration and a touch of rancio fruit. The mouthfeel is wonderful, with deep flavours of cinnamon, beeswax, a saline touch and a bright lime twist, then coffee and walnut notes lingering to the finish. So much going on here and it perpetually redefines itself (21%).” Gold Medal Decanter World Wine Awards 2015,Decanter Magazine

“Newly released. Gloriously complex mature aroma: starting to show that nutty character but still showing candied orange peel and Verdelho’s characteristic citrus. There’s caramel on the nose too but not sweet, if that makes sense. Glorious purity and complexity and intensity at the same time. It has power but no aggression.”18/18 Score, Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com

Serve at 18C.Decant carefully to avoid sediment that may have developed in the bottle after some years.