AJ | Mid walnut-ebony here. Classic soupy Tinta Negra aromas, with lots of sweet date, caramel and chocolate. Exuberant, dense, "exciting" but rather coarse and simple. A simple sweet wine given lots of age, but not (for me) the essence of Madeiran greatness. Little refinement and finesse, though lots of tang and sweetness. Drink Dates: 2025 - 2033. 83
SF | Deeper of hue than the trio of Boals, this, the first of two Tinta Negra Mole, a rare vintage dated wine, which has a dark mahogany core and a hint of amber/green at the rim, thus betraying provenance. The nose effortlessly combines sweet and savoury elements, its fruit core tailored by the rigours of age to a deft umami core; pronounced yet not overwhelming acidity and a fine twist of citric grip conspire to complete a picture which is both work in progress and very much the finished article ; such a contradiction is only possible as a result of the enigmatic appeal of very fine Madeira. Such as this. Drink Dates: 2025 - 2050. 92
RM | Mid-deep mahogany red with an amber rim; lifted, pungent and rich in style but without much delicacy both on the nose and the palate, pruney intensity mid-palate with the essential cut of acidity to offset the natural raisiny richness and a complex finish that combines sweet and savoury in almost equal measure. Very satisfying overall. Drink Dates: 2025 - 2100. 92