NV Blandy's Bual Madeira 10 Year
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To be fair, the new packaging says Medium Rich, rather than Medium Sweet. Tactful! Fruit p redominantly from the south coast of the island between Ribeira Brava and Calheta. T A 6.5 g/l, RS 95 g/l. Glowing greenish transparent tawny. Rich, almost raisiny nose. Very flattering hit on the palate with very much more sweetness than the Verdelho and a little light tannin on the end, as well as nicely counterbalancing acidity. Lovely smooth texture and just a hint of oak and rancio. This is a fine drink with a clean, pure finish. (JR)
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Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com
More reviews and scores
Tasted from a 37.5-cl sample bottle. Average age of 10 years from oak casks in the canteiro system. TA 6.5 g/l, VA 0.42 g/l, RS 95 g/l, pH 3.4. Certified BCorp. Toffee apple and gingerbread on the nose, toffee apple and rose-hip syrup on the palate. Lime leaf. Sumac. Aciculate acidity. Silk and needles. The sweetness curves, the ageing frames, the acidity whistles through like a cold, ocean-drenched wind. The finish is dry and taut and pour-me-another refreshing. (TC)
The August 2024 bottling of the NV Bual 10 Year Old was produced with grapes mostly from the south of the island, between Ribeira Brava and Calheta on volcanic soils. It fermented with indigenous yeasts and aged in oak casks according to the "canteiro" method for an average of 10 years. It was fortified to 19% alcohol, keeping a pH of 3.4 and 95 grams of sugar. It's complex, nutty and very spicy, with notes of quince paste, caramelized fruit and a touch of brandy and a resinous, volatile touch.
Approximate RS of 100 g/l. Barbecue smoke on the nose. More viscous and complete than their 10-year old Verdelho. The sweetness just overtakes the acid on the finish – not to say that it's cloying, but the sugar leads the persistence. Relatively simple, with mixed citrus peel as the main flavour. (RH)