Winemaker Notes
The 15 years Bual is a warm inviting wine with well rounded fruit flavours, wonderfully raisiny and spicy on the palate. The underlying acidity, typical of fine Madeiras, ensures an assertive albeit delicate long finish. Ideal served with cheese after a meal.
Professional Ratings
-
Wine Enthusiast
With its old gold color, this Madeira has lost traces of fruitiness while gaining intensity and concentration. Of course, there is intense acidity, but there are also spice, bitter chocolate and richness. Drink this wonderful wine now.
-
Wine Spectator
Viscous and on the sweet side, but still fresh and lively, with orange peel, glazed apricot and maple flavors. Very lively finish of bourbon and spice.
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.