Drinking history; 1862 Sercial from Pereira d’Oliveira

Madeira wine nuts should stick together. Follow Mad about Madeira on Facebook! While there, give my other wine site a like as well, Wine Virtuosity. I’m also on Twitter, like anyone else. Let’s tweet!

Do you know anyone turning 150 this year? Then here’s the perfect gift suggestion; the 1862 Sercial from d’Oliveiras!

I’m looking at the glass in front of me. 1862. Not as dark and impenetrable in color as some of the younger wines from Pereira d’Oliveira; if now a 1912 Verdelho or a 1903 Boal can hold such an epithet. Young that is. Perhaps the 1862 Sercial have been stored for a longer time in a cooler canteiro and hence has suffered less from evaporation? That could explain the color a bit. Still, can’t really believe I’m having a wine from the years of The Civil War in my glass. Easy to lose concept of reality here. I’m about to taste history….

This is unreal. Goose bumps when it’s 27 C outside! And that is just when smelling the wine. This is just as ethereal as it gets. Hard to define at first; such complexity and elegance and I settle with just sniffing. Then after a while when returning back to life, I find scents of bitter almond oil, hazelnut fudge (is there such a thing by the way), dusty summer road, lime peel, flowers, a hint of coffee. Just a gentle note of dried herbs de Provence.

Complexity to die for on the palate. Lots of mineral feel, wet rocks. Don’t think I’ve ever felt that in a Madeira before. At least not so intense. Toffee, a slight note of vanilla, bitter almonds, citrus fruits and nutmeg. Tobacco, anise and herbs, Impeccable balance between sweetness and acidity. Eternal finish backed up by the acidity. Simply put, one of the best Sercials I’ve ever had.

Sometimes I wonder if there’s a life after some wine experiences. Can it get better? Should I find a new interest? Well, believe it or not, it gets better every day! Wine’s one the most emotional rides our senses are offered in life and whether it’s an 1862 or 2010 in the glass doesn’t really matter. Only one thing remains sure; Madeira is the most breathtaking wine in the world!