1985 D'Oliveiras - Madeira Verdelho Colheita (750ml)

Pereira D’Oliveira was founded in Funchal in 1850 and is still family run. It’s famous for holding old vintages in cask for decades and bottling them only as needed, so every bottle is a piece of living history. This 1985 Verdelho comes from the family’s own reserves and was aged slowly in old oak in their century-old lodges. Verdelho is the medium-dry style, between bone-dry Sercial and richer Boal. Expect dried apricot, candied citrus, toasted nuts and warm spice on the nose, with caramel and dried fruit on the palate. The acidity is lively and tangy, and the finish is long and mineral. Lovely as an aperitif or with mushroom dishes, roast nuts and aged cheese. Let it breathe a bit after opening, and it will keep for months once open.