Madeira

Winemaker Description 

Blandy's 5-year old Verdelho is a dark golden brown in color with the characteristic aromatic complexity of Madeira wines - raisins, dried apricots, roasted nuts, toffee and a distinctive marine note. Great with many desserts especially fruit based tarts, cakes, cheeses. Also, a great accompaniment to foie gras.

Clear, topaz color, with a golden rim. Complex nose, revealing a fresh bouquet with raisins, dried fruits, wood and spices. 

Verdelho grapes are hand-harvested and fermented off the skins in stainless steel tanks. Neutral grape spirit is added to stop the fermentation at the desired level of sweetness. Then, the wines are aged in American oak casks and heated in the traditional Canteiro system, meaning they are transferred from higher floors in the lodge where it is warm to cooler floors below. The wine is regularly racked before bottling.

The island of Madeira is known for its distinctive varietal wines. Each varietal defines a particular style. Madeira wines are typically made from only one varietal, each made in one of the four Madeira styles: Dry, Medium-Dry, Medium Rich, and Rich. Madeira wines are fortified with grape spirit and have higher alcohol than so-called 'light' wines.

Winemaker Description 

Deep chestnut with golden highlights. Bouquet of dried fruits, spices, honey and candied fruit. Sweet, soft and complex, with a long aftertaste of roasted dried fruits.

Wine Advocate 90 Points | Wafting from the glass with aromas of figs, candied peel, dark chocolate, beeswax and a delicate hint of peat, Cossart Gordon's NV Malmsey 5 Year Old is medium to full-bodied, harmonious and complete, with fine depth at the core, ripe but racy acids and a well-defined finish. This is one of the finest examples of the category on the market and comes warmly recommended.Wine & Spirits Magazine 92 points As plump as a fresh fig, this is juicy and generous, lasting on a contrast between that fresh figgy ripeness and a savory note of coffee. A hint of mintiness keeps it clean.

Aged in American oak casks in the traditional 'Canteiro' method for 5 years. This includes a gentle heating of the wine in the loft of the lodges in Funchal. Over the years the wine is transferred from the top floors intermediate floors, and eventually to the floor at ground level where it is cooler. After this gradual 'aging, the wine is clarified and filtered before being bottled.

On the palate is Dry, very fresh with burnt tone, hints of hazelnut, dried fruits and apricot.

Delicious with desserts. Can be served with fruits, especially pineapple, fruit salad, rich cakes, strong cheeses or chocolate. Also good with coffee as a digestive. Winemaker Description.

Still family owned, D’Oliveira date back to 1850, working with cellars built in 1619, so they know a fair bit about making madeira.

The wine has an average age of five years, leading to an inviting, nutty, slightly toasty nose, with flavours of grapefruit, lime, hazelnuts, and orange peel.

The high acidity makes the wine taste dry on the palate, with a smooth, long, and memorable finish. Winemaker Description.