Blandy’s 10 Year Old Malmsey
Malmsey is possibly the most well-known of the noble varieties, the grape has high levels of both sugar and acidity. The Malmsey or Malvasia grape is found predominately in the region of São Jorge on the north of the island. Medium dark to dark, a luscious rich soft-textured wine, distinctly full honeyed and mellow.
Intense golden mahogany color with almost greenish reflections. It presents a characteristic bouquet of wood, dried fruits, confectionery, floral tea, spices and honey. The attack is sweet and soft, smooth full-bodied, with notes of aged brandy and slightly smoked woods. Long finish, with some freshness and heat, with notes of spice, smoked walnut and molasses.
Reviews
It's notoriously difficult to make a balanced Malmsey. That's precisely what Blandy's achieved here. Lovely extract on the palate, with great substance, weight but also poise. Dried walnut, nectarine, red apple and apricot peel fill the mouth, set against a background of coffee, tobacco, Oolong tea and fig leaves - savoury and herbal notes that beautifully offset the luscious sweetness. Lingering notes of honeyed walnuts, floral honey and glazed apple.
The richest and sweetest style for 10-year-old wine is the NV Malmsey 10 Year Old, a grape dominant in the north of the island, in the region of São Jorge, fortified to 19% alcohol and keeping 125 grams of unfermented sugar. It's floral, spicy and smoky, nutty and complex, with a velvety palate, warm and rich. This is the sweetest of the grapes. - LG
This Malmsey shows leather, dried fruit and roasted nectarine aromas. This has around 125 g/L of residual sugar, but the palate is incisive with citric acidity. Like all these wines the acidity determines the sensations and conditions the sweetness. This is aged in a canteiro system, in 650-liter American oak barrels, up to bottling. - JGL