A real head-turner. Aromas of maple syrup, bitter orange marmalade and a touch of iodine. The palate is rich and full-bodied; silky on the tongue, it gives prunes, raisins, sweet spice and bitter almond, culminating in a sweet-smoke finish. Such clearly defined flavours highlight the unique winemaking processes at work, and its well-balanced structure makes appears like a much drier wine through the palate. My personal pick of the Five Year Old Reserves – this is seriously compelling wine!
A fantastic entrée to D’Oliveiras range, with an enticing nose with notes of bitter orange, raisined fruit, sweet spice and a touch of charred wood. Lithe and lively on the palate with an excellent balance of fresh acidity, sweet citrus and an almost meaty, rancio nuttiness.
Very impressed by the harmony of primary fruit and secondary characters; definitely a wine that keeps you coming back for more. The nose is initially savoury with hazelnuts, smoke and pine needles that open up to candied peel, baking spice and fruit mince. Higher sugar levels lend a mouth-filling richness, complemented by pithy citrus flavours and balanced by hints of spice and dried herbs. A long savoury finish.
A very elegant nose with a touch of rancio volatility that sings against a rich backdrop of toffee, prunes and a prickle of baking spice and sweet liquorice. Weighty but wonderfully fresh on the palate with sweet dried fruit, warming spice and a touch of something savoury, charry, almost medicinal. This wine walks the tightrope of richness and finesse beautifully.
Tinta Negra perfectly pitched. It smells like a wander through the island – the briary wild bushes, the cool and damp soil, the faded ripe citrus and old orchard leaves all steeped together as a living, breathing sense-picture. As ever with good Madeira, it’s a wine to hold very still so the scent memories can wander out and say what they will. There’s a touch of fruit flesh roundness, and the red-floral aspect tells of the black grape underlying, but these soon yield to Madeiran tangents,
