1997 Broadbent Verdelho Single Cask #O078 Madeira 500 ml

Great Madeira is pure magic. Nothing in the wine world combines beauty and longevity in the same way. And nearly 28 years after harvest, the 1997 Broadbent Verdelho Single Cask #O078 is just getting going. 

You can keep bottles of Madeira—even very old bottles—open for months and months at a time, and they won’t fade before you finish. That makes this one great to pour every couple of days, so it can shine before or after dinner. 

Bartholomew Broadbent—son of the late, legendary wine expert Michael Broadbent and perhaps the worldwide authority on Madeira brokerage—established his own import company in the mid-1990s. From the beginning, he has had a partnership with Justino’s winery to produce his own Madeiras. 

But one visit to Justino’s was different. After tasting this 1997 cask, Broadbent couldn’t believe how beautiful and unique it was. He didn’t have the heart to blend it, and he knew he had to create this single cask bottling, in 500ml bottles.

Madeira lives longer than just about any other wine because it has been fortified, and because it rests in non-temperature-controlled rooms while aging. The wine gets warm during this time—a process known as maderization—and it oxidizes, picking up its signature nutty aromas and flavors. 

The aroma hits with toasted walnuts, maple, and citrus that's just gorgeous. When you taste it, there’s an amazing contrast between mature and fresh flavors—think of orange peel and cinnamon swirling with mushroom notes. On the palate, there’s a fascinating balance between sweet and dry, while the vibrant acidity keeps everything lively. And the long finish of coffee, almond, and toffee notes seriously won't quit.