Blandys, Bual Colheita Madeira 1920

vinous95

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

Blandy’s 1920 Bual (2020 Bottling) delivers 110g/L residual sugar with 10.74g/L total acidity. Deep amber in color, it is endowed with a fabulous nose evocative of walking through a stately old English manor house; touches of dried honey, quince and barley sugar emerge with time. But overall, this 2020 Bual displays resinous aromatics, touches of lanolin and, later, a hint of sesame. The palate is very harmonious, with tangy marmalade and quince opening the show, followed by walnut, white pepper, clove, fennel and liberal shavings of ginger. It does not possess the length of the 1975 Terrantez or the 1976 Verdelho in this tasting, yet after a century it retains elegance and style, perhaps more so than previous releases. 1,199 bottles produced.

vinous91

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

The 1920 Bual, this example bottled in 2006, has a deep amber color and a generous bouquet featuring marmalade, quince and walnut and just a tincture of chlorine. It shows great tension and poise on the very pure palate of Seville orange marmalade, dried honey and citrus peel. There is very good volume in the mouth and good poise and intensity on the finish, which is laced with orange peel and manuka honey on the aftertaste. A very fine Bual that is drinking beautifully now. Tasted at Blandy’s bicentennial celebration tasting.