D'Oliveiras, Verdelho, Madeira, Portugal, 1994

About The Producer
D’Oliveira is one of the greatest of the classic Madeira shippers, and one of the few to survive from the pre-phylloxera era. With origins as far back as 1820, and today housed in cellars that date from 1619, this highly important company is still owned by the same family, who were once highly important growers in the parish of São Martinho.

Its stocks of old wines have grown over time, either through marriage with other wine-producing families, or by the purchase of other old firms. But the foundation for its unparalleled library of ancient vintages was laid more than 150 years ago in the legendary São Martinho vineyards of João Pereira D'Oliveira, the great grandfather of the current managing director, Luis D’Oliveira.

João Pereira was particularly well known for his Verdelhos, building on São Martinho’s reputation for this noble grape. The village’s Verdelhos have long enjoyed a high reputation; in 1896, the New York Madeira merchant Charles Bellows singled out São Martinho Verdelhos from the others on the island for their “wonderful perfume.”

Winemaker
Filipe D'Oliveira

Grape / Blend
Verdelho

Origin
Madeira, Portugal

Tasting Notes
The DOliveira Madeiras are characterised by powerful aromatics, a lush mouthfeel and great viscosity. They have remarkable structure, and a citrus character that is essential to great Madeira.

91 Points - Vinous
The 1994 Verdelho, bottled in 2018, is worth seeking out. The well-defined nose features sandalwood, stem ginger and freshly baked flapjacks still warm from the oven. The palate is clean and fresh, a little tight at first but opening nicely with ginger and molasses toward the focused finish. This is a well-crafted and poised Verdelho that expresses the grape variety very competently. Excellent. 

Product size: 750ml