Blandy's : Malmsey Vintage 1991

Characteristics and Tasting Tips for the Malmsey Vintage 1991 by Blandy's

Tasting

Appearance
This Malmsey Vintage 1991 reveals a deep mahogany colour, shot through with coppery hues and golden highlights that bear witness to its long maturation in cask.

Nose
The nose is exuberant and distinctive, blending notes of spice, burnt wood, dried fruit and exotic spices to create a dense, generous bouquet.

Palate
On the palate, this wine is both sweet and fresh, rich and velvety, with a long finish carried by accents of dried fruit and toasted oak.

Food and Wine Pairing
Rather than pairing it with a particular dish, the house recommends enjoying this Malmsey Vintage 1991 on its own, as an exceptional digestif or a contemplative wine, to be savoured slowly at the end of a meal.

Serving and Storage
After several years in bottle, a light natural sediment may appear, so it is advisable to decant the Malmsey Vintage 1991 before serving. Store it away from light, upright, in a cool, dry place at a constant temperature ideally not exceeding 16°C.

The Malmsey Vintage 1991, an Exceptional Expression of Blandy's Madeira

The Estate
Founded in 1811 on the island of Madeira, the Blandy's house remains today the only brand among the historic founders of the Madeira wine trade that is still owned and run by the family that established it. Seven generations have succeeded one another at the helm of the company, which is now led by Chris Blandy, representing the seventh generation. Renowned for its centuries-old expertise and the consistent quality of its wines, the house perpetuates a unique heritage in the heart of the Terras Madeirenses.

The Vineyard
The grapes for this Malmsey Vintage 1991 come from Malvasia vines grown on the north coast of Madeira, in the São Jorge region. These plots are trained using the traditional latada or pérgola system, which is well suited to the volcanic soils composed of basalt, trachyte, tufa, scoria and conglomerates, as well as to the temperate oceanic climate that characterises the island.

The Vintage
Harvested in 1991, this vintage comes from a manual harvest carried out through quality-driven selection over several weeks, following the evolution of the grapes' ripeness, a method that allows each plot to be picked at the optimal moment of its development.

Winemaking and Ageing
Crafted by oenologist Francisco Albuquerque, who oversaw both the winemaking and the bottling, this Madeira wine was aged using the canteiro system, in 650-litre casks at ambient temperature, until the month chosen for its bottling, which took place in 2022.

Grape Variety
This Portuguese wine is made from Malvasia (Malmsey), a noble grape variety emblematic of the great sweet wines of Madeira.