NV Barbeito Madeira Malvazia 30 Years Old (Lote Especial)

Community Tasting Notes (8) Avg Score: 93.6 points

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  9/4/2020 - PortFanatic wrote: 94 Points

  Bottled in 2006. I believe that this was the first 30 year old made on the Island. Bronze color. On opening the nose was really funky and lactic - like bad yogurt. Day two - Wow! What a transformation. Very complex nose of honey, lime, mango, and smoke. A big entry! Wonderful complex entry of burnt sugar, lemon, marzipan, burnt butter. There is a stunning amount of acid that comes in late. Extremely long finish. There is a wonderful mouth-filling sensation as it expands in the mouth. This is very rich, but the acid saves it.
  I looked for more than 10 years for this Madeira. I finally found it in the UK and imported it. I am very happy that I did not give up the chase! 94 points.

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  6/7/2014 - mdefreitas wrote: 94 Points

  High acid dinner (Rieslings, Riojas, Madeiras, etc) (Milford, CT): Another masterful showing, displaying a great combination of power and impact, without being overly sweet. Lacy and refined with ridiculous length. Tangy and so full of energy.

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  10/10/2013 - mdefreitas wrote: 95 Points

  The Matriarch of Madeira, A Tribute to Dona Manuela Barbeito (Bar Boulud, NYC): Ricardo recounted how he labored long and hard to blend this wine, created as a tribute to his grandfather. Based on my samples of this wine over the last two years, his efforts have paid handsome dividends. Ricardo also mentioned that he felt this had “sweetened” up a bit with time in the bottle, but I can’t say I personally noticed much of a difference… it still had that zippy, fresh, electric quality that I remember. This was more about its lacey, lifted, filigree texture than a list of flavor descriptors. Not a wine for dessert, but a wine to savor by itself. Pleasing, almost painful, acidity courses through this elixir. Ridiculous breadth and length. My favorite of the flight.

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  8/7/2011 - rosesandthorns wrote: 93 Points

  This is a special blend that Ricardo Freitas of Barbeito made to honor his grandfather, Mario Barbeito. This Malvasia showed chameleon-like qualities of a Bual and Verdelho. Elegant and more delicately dry to me. Lots of acidity more like a Bual, leaner acidity and verve like a Verdelho, but with the richness and depth of Malvasia. Intense on the attack leading with roasted kumquats and ripe honeyed apricots, turkish coffee, raw and toasted almonds and a few slightly burnt ones in the mix too, creating a compelling micro whiff/taste of that acrid component. Like the lemon balm in my old garden, the smell of those leaves created great lift in the flavor profile of this wine. Had levity and playfulness that was delicious. No lightweight. Assertive with grace.

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  4/30/2011 - mdefreitas wrote: 95 Points

  Wow. Completely mindblowing quality for such a "young" blend. Malmsey richness, but Verdelho-like cut. Intense attack, mouthcoating, and endless. Orange zest, nutskin and caramel. Very light on its feet. Layered and complex; glad I own a few more.

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View all 8 Community Tasting Notes

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