Blandy's 10 Year Old Bual Madeira (50cl, 19%)

This is a 10 year old Bual Madeira from Blandy's, made from grapes grown by 29 farmers, mostly on the island's south coast between Ribeira Brava and Calheta. The grapes are picked relatively early in harvest and give a medium rich style of wine. Fermentation with natural yeast is stopped by fortification, leaving residual sugar of 100g/l. The wine is a blend averaging 10 years in seasoned American oak casks, aged in the traditional canteiro system at the family's lodge in Funchal. Ageing turns the primary fruit into dried fruit notes. Expect Seville orange marmalade, quince, beeswax, dried orange peel and cardamom, with spice, molasses and baked pear.