Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2001 Malvasia Single Cask 727 D+E is sourced from vineyards from Sao Jorge and was aged at the Afonso warehouse until 2008 and then at the new warehouse. It was bottled in September 2011. It has a thrilling, ebullient, walnut bouquet that leaps from the glass like a jack-in-the-box. The palate is supremely well-balanced and surfeit with personality: smoke, raisin, fig, walnut and then more walnuts sprinkled over the finish. This is turning into a sensational Malvasia that leans towards the more oxidative style. There are only 978 produced.
There are hundreds of white grape varieties grown throughout the world. Some are indigenous specialties capable of producing excellent single varietal wines. Each has its own distinct viticultural characteristics, as well as aroma and flavor profiles.
A steep, volcanic island in the Atlantic Ocean that rises to over 6,000 feet at its highest point, Madeira actually sits closer to Morocco than Portugal, the country to which it belongs.
Today the vineyards of the island cover tiny step-like terraces called poios, carved from the basalt bedrock. Aptly named Madeira, this fortified wine comes in two main styles. Blended Madeira is mostly inexpensive wine but there are a few remarkable aged styles. Single varietal Madeira (made from Sercial, Verdelho, Boal or Malmsey), is usually the highest quality and has the potential to improve in the bottle for decades.