Sercial--what is the best Serical eyeopener?

[John Trombley]

If you were to pour a good-QPR Sercial for someone who didn't know this variety, what would you reach for? How much would you spend for it?

[Jim S.]

1971 D'Oliveiras Sercial is excellent. I wouldn't spend more than $150, including shipping and delivery.
I haven't tasted the 1989 D'Oliveiras Sercial, but it's supposed to be quite good and runs closer to $100.

[John Trombley]

And for an age-dated-Sercial?

[Eric Ifune]

The 1989 D'Oliveiras is quite nice.
The 1979 Borges is fantastic. The Rare Wine Company has it for $150, the same price as the D'Oliveiras. I'd go with the Borges.

[Peter Reutter]

1963 Leacocks Sercial
1966 Blandys Sercial
1969 Miles Sercial
1977 Borges Sercial
1979 Borges Sercial

5 "young" Sercial wines that all offer a great Sercial-for-price-ratio. Can't go wrong with any of these

[Justin A]

79 Borges is great. No question. Just atypical for a sercial. Not quite sure if I would recommend it as an "eyeopener' per se, as it is a bit sweeter than a typical sercial. The young (60's to 70's) d'Oliveiras are perhaps a better choice.

[Gary Banker]

For age-dated sercial:

10 and 15 year old Blandy's are on the dry side with astringent finish

10 and 15 year old H&H are very good. They are a little richer than the Blandy's.

[Daniel Fraley]

I rather enjoyed the 1988 Barbeito Frasqueira Sercial, good value too.

[Alan Gardner]

For age-dated sercial:

10 and 15 year old Blandy's are on the dry side with astringent finish

10 and 15 year old H&H are very good. They are a little richer than the Blandy's.

I recently had the H & H 10 yr-old and it was excellent. In a group of 15 people (tasting 10 yr-old madeiras) 8 of them had this as their top wine.

[John Trombley]

Good to hear from you, Alan. So many good memories, and thanks for the lead. I am a great admirer of the H and H's I've tasted; one of the greatest was the 1860 Boal. Had any more Scharzhofberger of late? We just got back from doing a cruise from Budapest to Amsterdam, as I believe Barbara and I shared with you last we talked.

[Alan Gardner]

And you too John.
My German consumption has slipped of late - I really need to get my cellar reconciled (from the scraps of paper where I recorded the new locations).
We just returned from the Baltic countries (overland; Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Belarus and Moscow + St. Petersburg) - not the greatest wine destination. Hope your trip was as good (with maybe better wines).
But I'm getting a hankering to return to Madeira - 20 yrs since I was last there - it's probably changed a bit!
Best to Barbara - see you in August (if not before)?