N.V. Barbeito Boal Reserva 5 Year Old Madeira

Medium rich. If the Barbeito wines have Reserva on the label, the wine is an average age of five years old; if the label says Reserva Velha, the wine is an average of 10 years old. Grapes from various quality vineyards in Arco da Calheta and Prazeres. Aged canteiro method in French oak casks for over five years. RS 88 g/l. Orange marmalade. Full-throated, broad spread with an impression of chunky bitter marmalade right up front and yet long and electric as the wine fills the spaces. Quite fine and racy. Smooth and silky and melted toffee. Racy enough for an aperitif despite being a medium-rich Boal. I could imagine it going rather well with a slice of coffee and walnut cake or a little savoury pastry – abandon that cup of tea for a drop of this instead! VGV 16.5 points

Moving on to the Reservas, the Boal 5-Year-Old Reserva is sourced from vineyards in Arco da Calheta and Prazeres, thereafter, aged in French casks using the canteiro method. It has an exotic bouquet of passion fruit, honey and a touch of marmalade that soars from the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with an unctuous entry counterbalanced by crisp acidity. There is huge weight and persistency within this Bual, with roasted walnut, dried mango and spice towards the long, rich finish. It possesses convincing volume and length. 89 points