A recent bottling from Blandy

Blandy’s Bual 1969 *****

Blandy’s new Managing Director, Chris Blandy, sent me a sample of this wine which he is very excited about, and with good reason. The year 1969 was singled out in early cask tastings by the late Noel Cossart, formerly partner in Cossart Gordon, then the Madeira Wine Association and author of Madeira, the Island Vineyard, as one of the best vintages for Bual.

Amber – orange in colour with clear, clean ethereal aromas, crystalized citrus peel with a hint of orange blossom; fine, almost delicate initially with beautiful poise maintained throughout, crisp lime marmalade with just a wisp of wood smoke towards the finish, long, linear and very beautiful to behold.  It is deeply reassuring that wines as great as this are still being bottled in Madeira (bottled 2012).  19