Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Bottled in 2016, the 2005 Colheita Bual is showing nicely, offering up aromas of sultanas, honeycomb, peach, mocha and figs. Medium to full-bodied, ample and charming, it's fleshy and textural, with an enveloping core of fruit that pulls up short of being too overtly grapey, underpinned by ripe but racy acids. Generous and gourmand, this is a demonstrative Bual that will make many friends.
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.