Hotel Monaco, San Francisco, CA
Tasted Saturday, June 6, 2009 by mdefreitas with 907 views
This historic tasting of the Leacock family Madeiras was put together by Mannie Berk of the Rare Wine Company. The wines came from the personal cellar of William Leacock, the only son of Edmund Leacock. These gems went up for auction at Christie's on December 11, 2008, and Mannie Berk was fortunate (and astute) enough to win many of the more interesting lots.
Originally scheduled for June 7th, response was so great that a second, identical, tasting was scheduled for June 6th as well.
While most of the Madeiras available today see very little bottle aging, this tasting was unique in that these wines are heavily bottle aged and will show quite a different character to what one would normally experience.
The wines were opened for a week, with the hope that extended aeration would eliminate any bottle stink that typically develops from so much time in the bottle.
As one climbed the stairs towards the dining room, you could already smell the rich and intoxicating perfume of the Madeiras being poured.
A little something to get the taste buds going...
This flight consisted of wines deemed to be Sercial or Sercial-like.
This flight consisted of wines deemed to have an off-dry, Verdelho-like character.
A couple of unusual private family wines, believed to have been laid down for John Milburne Leacock's sons.
A big step up in overall quality.
Some of the rarest wines of the tasting, including a Bastardo that was previously unkown to have existed and my wine of the day.
1988 Veuve Clicquot Champagne Brut Vintage Rare 93 Points
France, Champagne
Lively, fresh, and bright on the palate, with hints of yeasty/nutty maturity. Good depth and minerality - but to be honest, I was not paying detailed attention to this wine, as my thoughts were on the treasures to come.
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