Bual Colheita, Blandy’s Madeira 2011

A medium-sweet Madeira, this is ripe, rich with an orange-zest aroma, and concentrated honey and spice flavors. Cut by the spirit and balanced, it is ready to drink.

Like sunrise, like a slow uncurling from the earth, it's a wine that starts with shadows and moves to light. From leather and chocolate browns, mace and nutmeg duskiness, and raisin mahoganies, the wine starts to slowly flood with streaks of red and orange, brightening with every second: chocolate orange, paprika spice, dried orange peel, candied citrus peel, blood orange. It finishes lifted and sunlit bright: tarragon and lemon-barley water. It's a wine that deserves slow, watchful sipping. Watch the sun rise through the glass.