J. C. A. & C, Terrantez Madeira 1715
Ex Christie's October 2019. Wax capsule with Kassab seal. Level: 6cm

In old heavy Burgundy shape bottle, with stenciling. Note the missing ‘n’.
Believed to have been aged in cask for about 50 years. 150 gr/l residual sugar.
This is the oldest dated Madeira in existence.
The last five years I have tasted this wine over seven times on regular intervals. Each time an impressive experience. First in June 2017 from the Kassab collection. Original BAK seal on the wax capsule. Three times recorked.
Tasting note: Deep dark orange. Intense crème brulee nose, soft and refined. Wood, spice cake, sweet, dried peach aromas. Seductive and sweet.
Fairly full-bodied taste attack of apple syrup filling out in the mouth. Thick intensely flavored. Well balanced with soft acidity, very concentrated.
A remarkably youthful appearance and surprisingly sweet for a Terrantez.
The acidity is all packed in which makes the wine appear more in the style of a fine Malaga. Great for age. Amazing to be able to drink and enjoy a wine of this venerable age.
Then early 2013 from a bottle which was being recorked by Francisco Albuquerque.
Similar note. Lovely nose and intense full flavored taste with relatively low acidity.
In June 2016 a small sample showed very well though not as rich as the two previous bottles.
Soft aromas of caramel, passion fruit and flowers prevailing on the intriguing nose. Not as pungent and sweet as when I first tasted this 1715.
Rounded fine-tuned aromas on first taste, developing into more fudgy tones. Quite rich with fine acidity balancing out the intensity. Straw, good concentration of well-aged wines. Would not place this in the early 18th century, probably aged for a long time in cask then transferred to demi-johns as there is a remarkable liveliness to this wine as if the strength has been preserved in time. A very good wine. Though still quite different from the first time I tasted the 1715 in the MWC tasting room with Francisco. Then sweeter and more cloying, currently this sample is all freshness and classic very good quality Terrantez. Interesting.
A range of three different bottles in 2017, all different sources, brought back to Madeira to be checked and recorked. Though at first different in appearance, with some air it was clear they were the same wine. Wax capsules, one with Junta seal.
The 1715 Terrantez is great for age, 92p for quality. Last tasted June 2017. Edwin Vos

1 Bottle (75cl) per lot