1994 Barbeito Verdelho Vintage madeira 50 cl medium dry
€ 155.80
| Producer | Barbeito |
| Region | Madeira |
| Grapes | Verdelho |
| Ageing | Frasqueira, bottled in 2018 |
| Alcohol | 19.34%vol | pH: 3.29 |
| Serving | 14-16°C, open a few hours in advance Store upright, keeps almost indefinitely once opened |
| Scores | 87/100 Vinous |
A 1994 Verdelho from Seixal, a tribute to Manuel Eugénio Fernandes.
Tasting note
Golden with green highlights. A bouquet of candied fruit, walnuts, apricot, light smoke, beeswax, sweet spices and a minty note that shows its lovely freshness. Elegant on the palate, with citrus and a fantastic bittersweet touch that balances the fresh, seductive, long finish.
The story
This is the second wine in a series of bottlings honouring Manuel Eugénio Fernandes, in memory of the long bond between the two families. The grapes come from several quality vineyards around Seixal and were pressed in a continuous press. In September 2018, 650 bottles were filled, all individually numbered.
From the founding of Vinhos Barbeito in 1946, Manuel Eugénio Fernandes supplied Sercial and Verdelho grapes to the house. He had a very special bond with the family and visited the old winery every week. A 500 ml bottle.
Elsewhere in Portugal, Verdelho is also known as Gouveio. The grape gives a lightly sweet, medium-dry style, is mainly planted in the north at 400-600 m and ripens late. It is the main ingredient of Rainwater.
Madeira spends years ageing in an oxidative environment and moves into a reductive one at bottling. It is therefore best to open the bottle a few hours in advance. After that, air no longer affects the wine: an open bottle keeps almost indefinitely and often tastes even better months later. Always store Madeira upright, as the acidity attacks the cork if the bottle lies down.
Food pairing
Excellent as an aperitif, and a good match for cheese.
Critics & Awards
95/100 - Vinum Wine Magazine Tasted: Mar 2025 When to drink: 2027 to 2050
From the same vineyard in Seixal—half matured there, the other half in Funchal. Golden amber in color. Highly complex, with notes of rancio, nuts, and tobacco; it dances on the palate. A 1978 Sercial from Seixal, possessing magnificent character with hints of salt, iodine, and rancio, along with an incredible freshness—an absolute favorite of Ricardo’s.
18/20 - Grandes Escolhas Tasted: Jan 2019
Golden color. Intense and rich aroma, with plenty of spice (clove, cumin, and nutmeg), dried apricot, walnuts, and grapefruit, along with hints of curry. On the palate, it reveals notes of salted chocolate. It is both indulgent and serious. The finish becomes drier and spicier, lingering on the palate for a long time.
