1885 Verdelho

Barbeito was founded by accountant Mário Barbeito de Vasconcelos in 1946. From 1946-48 he settled the company and bought some old wines, including this one. Aged in demijohns since 2008 after more than a century in cask. Bright ruby colour with yellow/green rim. Massive acidity and almost syrupiness. Much less fresh than Ricardo de Freitas’s own wines. They sold quite a bit of wine like this to pay for new winery. Just off dry. Old wines not to be chilled. He says he can’t look at it because it’s too cloudy! I think it looks pretty clear! Not as refreshing as the younger wines but lovely to taste a slice of history. A tad treacly. Massively acid and rancio. (JR)