Dear TK,

Great Madeira is pure magic.

It’s also probably the least-tried of the world’s best wines, which is a shame on so many levels. Aside from being intoxicatingly complex and intellectually rewarding, Madeira is historic and captivating as the day is long.

Nothing in the wine world combines beauty and longevity quite like Madeira. Nearly 28 years after harvest, today’s 1997 Broadbent Verdelho Single Cask #O078 is just getting going. I keep bottles of Madeira—even very old bottles—open for months and months at a time, and I’ve yet to have one fade before I finish.

That means I’ll be enjoying a glass of this Verdelho every couple of days, where it shines before or after dinner. Riding the line between dry and off-dry, this Madeira is an awesome pairing with fine hams like Prosciutto San Danielle or Edwards’ Surryano. It’s also the perfect after-dinner treat with cheese, or in place of dessert when you want something less sweet.

Cracking this bottle, you’ll join a fellowship of American Madeira lovers that spans centuries—the signing of the Declaration of Independence was toasted with glasses of Madeira—and this has decades of life ahead of it. But although it will practically be immortal, we don’t have a lot to go around. Only 60 cases of 500ml bottles exist for the entire world. They’re $100, or $95 each if you get six or more.

Secure your share now.

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.

If you’re looking for a special gift, something to commemorate a special 1997 anniversary, or just a beautiful bottle to sip with a cookie and a book on a cold night—this is exactly the thing. Every wine lover should experience a bottle like this at least once in their life.

SHOP NOW BUTTON

Sincerely,

Eduardo Dingler

VP of Wine

Wine Access

About Verdelho