Community Tasting Note

rromain Likes this wine:

Wednesday, September 9, 2015 - N.V. Rare Wine Co. (Vinhos Barbeito) Madeira 'Historic Series Charleston' Sercial Special Reserve, 19 pabv. Short (3/4") standard 5 band cork, warm, tawny brown, quite bitty. First to reach the nostrils after 3 days open is smoked cherry, some creaminess, and lime blossom. Rich but not sweet, with caramel and some mint high tones, medium entry, energetic midpalate, and nice juicy cherries and lime finish. Actually has opened up a bit since day before yesterday. Much better with Black Diamond Reserve Cheddar. In my opinion just misses its price point; would have been a more reasonable buy at $35-40. However, with the shortage of good Sercials, I welcomed this in the market, and still do. It's possible that Sercial should be the benchmark of all Madeira styles, actually it is for me, though my introduction was all Boal and Malvasia. (89 pts.)

Now having given this until Sept 12, about 6 days on from opening, another impression: Again the smoked cherries and cream, lime blossom delicate but more prominent, and a neat bitter aroma, all quite well integrated over a sort of energetic pongy base made mostly up of bacon fat. Harmonious but not all resolved, promising more development with air. Aged sawdust is added to the above on the palate, with a nice punch of lime-tinged acidity and an appropriate finish. Seems to support the Trombley theorem on the development of oxidized-style wines. An excellent demonstration of the virtues of Sercial, and now rated excellent. (90/100). jht (sweetstuff) note

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