TN: 1922 D'Oliveiras Madeira Boal
Posted: Sat Jun 30, 2012 3:01 pm
1922 D'Oliveiras Madeira Boal - Portugal, Madeira (6/2/2007)
After sorting through recommendations as to how to prepare from Roy Hersh, Francois Audouze, Francois Mauss and Louis D'Oliveira directly from the winery, we settled on a decant two hours prior to drinking. In retrospect, I think those who suggested longer decaqnts were probably right - the alcohol level was a bot too high and more time to blow off might have been nbetter.
Aroma - The sommelier poured 13 glasses in a room next to the private room in the basement of Bottega del Vino. The aroma was so strong that I could easily smell the intense sweet nutty nose in the next room within 30 seconds after he started pouring. I am not a Madeira expert - far from it having had maybe one good glass of madeira in my life, so I can't give you comments on a relative basis, but the aroma was clearly on of the mroe intense wine experience I have ever had. I agreed, with the sommerlier, however, that the ethyl alcohol aroma was very strong. His comment was that he was sure that the 19-21% on the bottle was too low, and I woudl not be surprised. The obvious alcohol was the only drawback tot he entire experience.
On the palate - Sugared pecans, walnuts, chocolate and some totally unexpected citrus acid bite. I do not know if the citrus is normal, but I could taste something like it on the sides of my tongue. The wine was medium sweet - nothing like a vintage port in sweetness. No need for insulin but the sugar was there in the background without taking over the wine with cloyness. Very very long finish. I could still taste it minutes after swallowing. This is a wine to savor very slowly. My mother really liked it. (94 pts.)
After sorting through recommendations as to how to prepare from Roy Hersh, Francois Audouze, Francois Mauss and Louis D'Oliveira directly from the winery, we settled on a decant two hours prior to drinking. In retrospect, I think those who suggested longer decaqnts were probably right - the alcohol level was a bot too high and more time to blow off might have been nbetter.
Aroma - The sommelier poured 13 glasses in a room next to the private room in the basement of Bottega del Vino. The aroma was so strong that I could easily smell the intense sweet nutty nose in the next room within 30 seconds after he started pouring. I am not a Madeira expert - far from it having had maybe one good glass of madeira in my life, so I can't give you comments on a relative basis, but the aroma was clearly on of the mroe intense wine experience I have ever had. I agreed, with the sommerlier, however, that the ethyl alcohol aroma was very strong. His comment was that he was sure that the 19-21% on the bottle was too low, and I woudl not be surprised. The obvious alcohol was the only drawback tot he entire experience.
On the palate - Sugared pecans, walnuts, chocolate and some totally unexpected citrus acid bite. I do not know if the citrus is normal, but I could taste something like it on the sides of my tongue. The wine was medium sweet - nothing like a vintage port in sweetness. No need for insulin but the sugar was there in the background without taking over the wine with cloyness. Very very long finish. I could still taste it minutes after swallowing. This is a wine to savor very slowly. My mother really liked it. (94 pts.)