Blandy’s, 5 Years Old Bual Madeira, Portugal

Tasting Note: This is the next-to sweetest of the four traditional styles of Madeira.

Bual is the noble grape variety that presents the fortified wine in its penultimate-sweetest form.

It is grown on the southern side of the island at low altitudes.

On the darker side of medium-intensity amber in color, this wine has pronounced-intensity aromas of caramel, raisin, apricot, blossom, toast, dried apple and almond.

On the palate the medium-sweet, full-bodied Bual Madeira delivers flavors suggested on the nose along with some marzipan and char.

The fortified wine is medium-plus in acidity, high in alcohol and completes with a long, madeirized finish.

The Madeira is very good in quality because of its flavor concentration and varietal typicity.

Bottle Note: This Madeira wine has been crafted from the volcanic, sub-tropical Portuguese island of Madeira, located some 400 miles off the Northwest African coast. The Blandy’s are unique in being the only family of all the original founders of the Madeira wine trade to still own and manage their wine company, maintaining a tradition that goes back to 1811. Bual is grown almost exclusively in the Southern regions of Calheta and Ribeira Brava and produces a medium-rich style of wine. Matured at the Blandy’s Wine Lodges in the center of Funchal, this Bual has raisins, toffee and roast nuts on the nose. A complex, medium-weight wine with a superb tangy finish that pairs well with pâtés or blue cheese.