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Cellar Favorite: Blandy’s Madeira - 2023 Bottlings
Portugal, cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites
, Jul 2023
As is customary every year, I report on the latest Madeira releases from Blandy’s, though readers should note that the 1995 Malmsey is under the Cossart Gordon label. I broach these from dry to sweeter styles.
Cellar Favorite: Taylor’s Very Very Old Tawny Port (Coronation of King Charles III Limited Bottling)
Portugal, cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites
, May 2023
The Coronation of King Charles III inevitably was the perfect excuse for many English sparkling wine producers to mark the occasion with limited edition cuvées, likewise, Port Houses that have deep English roots. One that I recently tasted was from Taylor’s Fladgate, who raided some of their oldest reserves to blend a limited run of 1,500 bottles of what they have called their Very Very Old Tawny Port.
Vinous Table: Solar dos Presuntos, Lisbon, Portugal
Portugal, Vinous Table
, Apr 2023
Solar dos Presuntos fulfilled my expectations. It is a very impressive large-scale restaurant that operates like a well-oiled machine.
Vinous Table: Cervejaria Ramiro, Lisbon, Portugal
Portugal, Vinous Table
, Apr 2023
Cervejaria Ramiro is the ideal way to commence your Lisbon epicurean odyssey. As the taxi driver put it on the way back, it’s a favorite with locals because it lacks pretentiousness and offers value for the money.
Cellar Favorite: 2019 Niepoort Batuta and Redoma
Portugal, cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites
, Mar 2023
I am a big fan of Dirk Niepoort’s fortified and non-fortified wines. Earlier this year, I tasted his latest releases. Two of them will offer pleasure in the near term but are also worthy of cellaring.
Cellar Favorite: 1895 Cossart Gordon Bual
Portugal, cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites
, Jan 2023
Few wines are as indestructible as Madeira. Plenty of 19th-century wines continue to thrive. Following a recent exploration of Frédéric Mugnier’s Chambolle Les Amoureuses, we finished with this fine 128-year-old Madeira that affirmed its time-bending properties.
Quinta do Noval: Recent Vintages 2011-2020
Portugal, featured
, Nov 2022
This brief article updates recent vintages of Quinta do Noval and Naçional at a recent tasting in London hosted by Christian Seely. It was proof, if any was still necessary, that Noval is consistently bringing its A-game.
Cellar Favorite: Blandy’s Madeira – 2022 Bottlings
Portugal, cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites
, Sep 2022
I recently joined Blandy’s CEO, Chris Blandy, and head winemaker, Francisco Albuquerque, for a tasting of their 2022 Madeira bottlings.
Cellar Favorite: 1971 Taylor’s Single Harvest Port
Portugal, cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites
, Feb 2022
Although I have banged on about the 1971 vintage being fecund for stupendously good wines around the world, there are a few exceptions; one is the Douro Valley since there was no General Declaration that year.
Cellar Favorite: Quinta do Noval 2019s
Portugal, cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites
, Sep 2021
When I was at Château Pichon-Baron in June, Christian Seely finished my Bordeaux tasting with the three latest releases from Quinta do Noval, part of Axa-Millésime’s portfolio of properties.