Got a shipment of Barbeito Madeira that's been keeping me entertained these last few days.
Lockdown Wine #126 - Barbeito Tres Pipas Bastardo Reserva Velha. Bastardo was very nearly extinct in Madeira until Barbeito started a serious replanting in 2004. This wine is a combination of vintages 2009, 2010, and 2011 and aged by Canteiro method. I seem to recall reading it was foot trodden but can't find the reference. Bastardo is a red grape, like Tinta Negra, and unlike all the other noble grapes on the island which are white.
Reddish copper, coffee, a little mint, and a lot of nuts on the nose. Medium minus body. Oranges, Christmas pudding, raisins, and a great deal of pecans and walnuts. Aperitif or after dinner sweet. This won't do for dessert. Quite long. A rather pronounced bitterness in the finish - some tannins like nut skins. Lots of acidity. A rather fresh style. On the second day, the nuttiness became quite subdued but it gained in body. Good stuff.
Lockdown Wine #127 - Barbeito Tinta Negra Colheita 2007 Cask 104 E+205 E. About 80% of the grapes on Madeira are Tinta Negra and for the longest time it was used to make some rather forgettable wine. But producers are now giving it star treatment and are making some pretty good wines. This was foot trodden and made by Canteiro method.
Amber. Not a lot going on in the nose - mostly oranges. There's a good amount of sweetness, but not quite dessert sweet. Sweet spices, nuts, dried citrus peel, and raisins. Starts out pretty sweet but then the acidity kicks in to give it a lovely freshness and lift. Very tasty. I imagine this would be a killer wine for foie gras. Great sipping wine. Good length with a gentle bitterness at the finish which primes you for the next sip. Delicious stuff!