1997 Broadbent - Madeira Single Cask No. 233 Malvasia (500ml)

Broadbent Selections was founded in 1996 by Bartholomew Broadbent, drawing on the lifelong devotion of his father, wine critic Michael Broadbent, who considered Madeira his desert island wine and personally selected many of the rare casks that anchor the collection. The Single Cask series sits at the top of the range, built from individual barrels chosen for exceptional quality rather than assembled into a house blend. These wines are produced in partnership with Justino's, one of Madeira's leading houses, which handles the winemaking while Broadbent oversees selection and release.

This bottling comes from a single cask of Malvasia harvested in 1997 and aged for decades in American oak using the traditional oxidative Canteiro method, in which the wine develops its depth and color through the natural warmth of the aging lodge rather than artificial heat. Cask No. 233 was bottled as a highly limited release, offered at 500ml, reflecting the small quantities typical of Broadbent's single-cask program.

The wine shows a clean amber color with a green-tinged, mature rim. On the nose and palate it is rich and fruity, layering caramel, toffee, and warm spice with notes of tea leaf and tobacco, backed by a touch of bitterness that adds structure alongside varnish and walnut tones. The finish is long, elegant, and marked by hints of matured fig. It suits a quiet pour after dinner, and also pairs well with dark chocolate or a well-aged, hard cheese.