1957 Henriques & Henriques Boal Madeira, Portugal

DUE NOV 2024

Opened 24 hours ahead of the tasting. Decanted and checked. The 1957 has that little green edge to the amber color. It looks old especially when comparing to the light golden colored 1983 Verdelho from Artur Barros e Sousa we just tasted. The bouquet is filled with moist tobacco, toffee, smoke, dusty summer road, paint, dried leather and a fig/date scent. Complex and mature. On the palate it is more towards the elegant side wit smoky notes, figs, wood, leather, vanilla, dark chocolate and toffee. Fine vivid acidity balancing the almost 100 grams of sugar left in the wine eminently. Long finish with wet rocks notes and nutmeg. An excellent representative for classic Boal.

Niklas Jörgensen Mad About Madeira

Henriques & Henriques is a prestigious name in the world of Madeira wines, known for producing some of the finest and most distinctive fortified wines from the island of Madeira. Founded in 1850, the family-owned winery has a long and storied history that spans several generations. Henriques & Henriques is one of the few remaining fully integrated producers of Madeira, from vineyard management to bottling, allowing them to maintain complete control over the quality and consistency of their wines.

Madeira, located off the coast of Portugal, is famous for its unique winemaking process, which involves heating the wine (a process called estufagem) to replicate the conditions of long sea voyages. This process, combined with the island's distinctive soil and climate, produces wines that are rich, complex, and capable of aging for decades. Henriques & Henriques has an extensive range of Madeira wines, from the lighter, more approachable styles to rich, complex ones designed for aging.

The winery’s expertise is showcased in their variety of styles, including dry, medium dry, medium sweet, and rich, full-bodied sweet Madeiras. They are best known for their use of traditional Madeira grape varieties, such as Sercial, Verdelho, Bual, and Malvasia, each contributing unique characteristics to the final wine. Their vintage Madeiras, in particular, have earned widespread acclaim for their ability to age beautifully, developing an incredible depth of flavor and complexity over time.

Henriques & Henriques also stands out for its commitment to sustainability and innovation, ensuring that their vineyards and winemaking practices are aligned with modern environmental standards while still preserving the traditional craftsmanship that has defined the Madeira wine industry for centuries.

Whether you’re exploring their entry-level styles or seeking a rare vintage Madeira, Henriques & Henriques offers an impressive range of wines that highlight the unique qualities of this iconic island wine.