November 24, 2022 - Thanksgiving 2022.
October 3, 2022 - 2017 bottling. Double decanted two days before service.
Clear medium brown color with a green rim. Very high acidity, as expected from a relatively young Madeira. Lots of residual sugar hidden by the acid.
A couple of hours later, the mouthfeel is denser. The acidity is starting to calm down, but there's way too much residual sugar showing for a Sercial. Toffee, orange peel, some coffee on the palate. The wine seems to lack the refinement of Sercials from better years. I wanted to like this more.
December 30, 2021 - Absolutely fantastic Sercial showing great tonight.
The bouquet combines beautiful honey, tobacco, some bourbon vanilla and orange zest. I really love Sercial for its freshness and ability to cope with different dishes or just on its own. Obviously this can live forever. AMAZING!
October 15, 2021 - Tasted the 2016 bottling. Now, that's a sercial! What an explosion of flavor!! Nose of apricots and tabacco, and a bit of vinegar though the later does not reduce the experience. The finish is as expected - very long and pleasant.
April 19, 2020 - Bottled in 2019. Slow ox'ed for 5 days. Drank a glass over 3.5 h. Initially, searing acids w tart lemons dominate the palate. Became richer with greater body and depth as it sat in the glass. Aromas of lemon, orange peel, tart orange marmalade, nuts, and some dark caramel. Palate is dry and aligns w the aromas. Lovely depth and elegance with a nice bitter grapefruit pith running through the midpalate. Finishes with a nice bitter dark caramel streak. Lively, complex, deep. Great showing.
January 14, 2020 - Enjoying the last drops of this special bottle. It is so true that Madeiras last a long time once opened, which prolongs the uniqueness of the experience. Drinking this wine is both comforting and reflective - like talking with a really close friend and just starting where you last left off even if it's been a great while since you last saw each other. OK, no more similes...
The color is dark and rich with hues of old gold and brown (in a good way), plus an obvious yellowish meniscus.
Wow. Flavors leap out of the glass and let you know that you are in for something special.
Nose has elements dried toffee, butter and toast, condensed raisin, almond, chestnut and some toasted coconut floating around; all are superbly integrated. The flavors are long and well balanced with a structure of dry - but rich - toffee flavors along with with an cornucopia of molasses, pear, citrus, walnuts, and dark toast and citrus peel. Fig and baking spices too. Really lovely and a nice way to ease into 2020.
There is something very appealing about Sercial Madeiras. Sercials have more versatility than sweeter Madeira wines and work well flying solo or with most stages of a meal. Must drink more Secials. Better yet, time for a trip to the island!
June 11, 2019 - Sweet fruit , smoke, salt licorice, orange peels. Very good acidity feels almost lean and dry in the mouth. At least in comparison to a 40y tawny side by side. Extremely long finish.
March 30, 2019 - Lovely depth and richness with very good balance between caramel and pinching acid. 93
December 22, 2018 - by the glass.
Opaque dark burgundy with legs. Nose nutty caramel, dark fruits with some heat. Palate bright orange peel and macerated grape flavor, a marine saline quality, hint of harshness at first attack that fades with time but still a bit of bitterness on the finish, some honeyed fruit with an almost vinyl note. Very interesting to try and impressive for how vibrant it is for a wine of its age, but not sure if this is exactly in my wheelhouse. Nonetheless can see the merits and skill. 91 pts
December 1, 2017 - Incredibly rich for a dry Sercial, this is aromatically complex and an absolute joy to drink.