Rare Wine Co. Boston Bual Madeira
Winemaker Notes
Critical Acclaim
All VintagesSlightly richer than the Charleston Sercial, the Boston Bual boasts knockout aromas of toasted nut oil, orange peel and hints of dark honey or maple syrup. Despite the extra weight and sweetness, it's not cloying at all—the finish is mouthwatering and long. Editors’ Choice.
Aromas of figs, dates, warm spices, espresso roast and candied peel introduce the latest bottling of the NV Boston Bual (Rare Wine Company), a medium to full-bodied, rich and elegantly muscular wine with a generous core of fruit, nicely integrated sweetness and a racy spine of acidity, concluding with a saline finish. This cuvée is intended to evoke the richer styles of Madeira that were historically popular in the northeastern United States.
It took years of work, but in 2003, they began releasing the wines which are named in honor of American cities with strong ties to Madeira. New York Malmsey, Boston Boal, and Charleston Sercial all eerily resemble vintage Madeiras -- thanks to the inclusion of wines ranging in age from 30 to 60 years old in the blends. Working with Vinhos Barbeito, which possesses one of the great libraries of legendary 19th century Madeiras, each wine represents a style of Madeira popular in the cities they're named after.
A steep, volcanic island in the Atlantic Ocean that rises to over 6,000 feet at its highest point, Madeira actually sits closer to Morocco than Portugal, the country to which it belongs.
Today the vineyards of the island cover tiny step-like terraces called poios, carved from the basalt bedrock. Aptly named Madeira, this fortified wine comes in two main styles. Blended Madeira is mostly inexpensive wine but there are a few remarkable aged styles. Single varietal Madeira (made from Sercial, Verdelho, Boal or Malmsey), is usually the highest quality and has the potential to improve in the bottle for decades.
