BLANDYS 10 YEAR BUAL MADEIRA 19%

Boal is a name given to several varieties of grape cultivated in Portugal, notably in the production of medium-rich fortified wines from Madeira Island. Clear, amber colour with tinges of gold on the rim. The nose is superbly complex. Great intensity, revealing a bouquet of dried fruits such as figs and prunes, with notes of almonds and oak and subtle hints of toffee and vanilla spice. The palate is sumptuous. Medium sweet and very smooth with a superb balance of coffee and fruit flavours with a clean and sharp acidity. Lovely persistent aftertaste. A fruity, spicy Madeira, this 10-year-old Blandy's Madeira is made with 100% Bual grapes. Matured for 10 years in seasoned American oak casks, using the Canteiro system of gradually moving the casks from the higher, warmer floors down to the lower floors where the temperature is much cooler. This creates a fruity character with plenty of spice, soft aromas of Seville orange marmalade, quince, honeycomb and walnuts lead the nose. The palate offers well-balanced notes of marmalade, cinnamon, cardamom and candied orange peel, with a hint of ginger in the finish. Rancio is a tasting term to describe the nutty, buttery, candied fruit flavor of Sherry and other wines. It is indicative of oxidative aging. It is pleasing and desirable flavor and is not to be confused with the spoiled taste of "oxidized wine."