Tinta Negra & Verdelho, Madeira, Portugal

A jumping-out of the glass great fortified wine with apricots, caramel, nuts and charming spices a plenty. Madeira is both a Portuguese island and the name of this style of fortified wine, originally produced by hundreds of families, today only four: Blandy, Borges, D’Oliveira & Barbeito. Barbeito was founded in 1946 when Mario Barbeito began buying old vintages from families of note. In this bottling, 80% Tinta Negra —a crossing of Pinot Noir and Grenache and the only red grape used in the production of Madeira— is blended with the spiced and aromatic Verdelho from vineyards in Estreito de Câmara de Lobos and Prazeres. This blend was then slowly aged in French oak casks for more than five years, following the historic Canteiro method, gently warming the wine in stacked barrels. This slowly evaporates water, concentrating the remaining wine, whose ferment is arrested when it reaches its desired sweetness by adding distilled alcohol. Butterscotch brown, candied orange nuggets, creme caramel, kumquat, barley field, roasted chestnuts, golden raisins poached in lime juice, sweet pipe tobacco smoke, mint & toasted wood. Serve chilled with a bucket of blue cheese popcorn or on its own to feel soooooo fancy. Keeps several delightful months after opening.