Barbeito Madeira Malmsey 20 years sweet
€ 140.85
| Producer | Barbeito |
| Region | Madeira |
| Grapes | Malvasia (Malmsey) |
| Ageing | 20 years in cask |
| Alcohol | 18,8%vol |
| Serving | 18°C, open a few hours in advance Store upright, keeps almost indefinitely once opened |
| Scores | 18/20 Revista de Vinhos 94/100 Jamie Goode |
Twenty years of Malmsey: figs, molasses and a memorable crescendo.
Tasting note
Rich and generous, with hints of figs, molasses and barley sugar. Soft notes of vanilla, wood smoke and plums, without taking anything away from the memorable crescendo of the finish.
The story
The sweet, early-ripening Malvasia, also called Malvazia or Malmsey, grows only in the south of the island, in low-lying vineyards at 150-200 m, right by the ocean.
Malmsey gives the sweetest style of Madeira. There are two kinds, Malvasia and Malvasia Cândida, which grows closest to the ocean and is said to come from Greece. A lovely legend tells how the Duke of Clarence chose to drown in a butt of Malmsey rather than die by the sword. Shakespeare often refers to Malmsey, and even Napoleon took some from the island. In the 19th century Malmsey became even more fashionable, with a ‘morning Malmsey’ to start the day. The sweet, early-ripening Malvasia grows only in the south, in low-lying vineyards at 150-200 m, close to the ocean.
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
An excellent match for pastries, fruit, chocolate, pralines, hard cheeses, and ice cream, caramel and coffee desserts.
Critics & Awards
18/20 Revista de Vinhos | Tasted: Jan 2015
94/100 Jamie Goode
91/100 CellarTracker (6 notes)
Silver Outstanding – International Wine & Spirit Competition 2013
Gold – International Wine Challenge 2009
Silver (Best in Class) – International Wine & Spirit Competition 2009
Silver – Japan Wine Challenge 2007
Gold – International Wine Challenge 2009
Silver (Best in Class) – International Wine & Spirit Competition 2009
Silver – Japan Wine Challenge 2007
Reviews
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