Description
This 2020 special release of the 1920 Blandy's Bual marks 100 years of ageing in American oak casks and glass demijohns, with only 1,199 bottles available. This centennial wine is noted for its complex aroma, rich concentration, balanced sweetness, and long, refined aftertaste.
At the start of the 20th century, global instability led to a sharp decline in wine exports, heavily impacting Madeira wine due to the Great War, the Russian Revolution, and US Prohibition. Despite these challenges, the 1920 Bual became an iconic wine, showcasing the resilience of Madeira’s winemakers. Over time, different bottlings evolved naturally due to environmental factors in the Wine Lodge.
Tasting Notes:
Clear and bright dark mahogany colour with a golden nuance and greenish reflections.
On the nose it’s complex and very characteristic, it’s fine, intense, reveals a dry fruit bouquet, exotic spices, vanilla, smoked notes mixed with cedar oil and balsams. On the palate it’s very concentrated and powerful, medium sweet, very balanced and soft, its leaves a very long aftertaste with tobacco notes, exotic woods, cedar oil and wax.
Serving Suggestions:
Pairs beautifully with aged cheeses like Stilton or Comté, rich desserts such as crème brûlée or nut tarts, and foie gras for a luxurious contrast. Smoked nuts and dark chocolate enhance its depth, while its long finish complements a fine cigar. Serve slightly chilled (14–16°C) in a tulip glass for the best experience.
Blandy's Madeira has been synonymous with quality Madeira wine for over 200 years. The Blandy's are unique in being the only family of all the original founders of the Madeira wine trade to still own and manage their own original wine company. The family has played a leading role in the development of Madeira wine throughout its long history and members of the family continue to live on Madeira, maintaining a tradition that goes back to 1811.
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Reviews
95 Points - Vinous (Neal Martin)
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.