Blandy's Sercial 1980
Region: Madeira
Producer: Madeira Wine Company SA
Why we chose this wine
1980: the year CNN became the first 24-hour news channel. A Madeira from this vintage is a living piece of history — a wine that has been ageing for generations, owing its character to decades of patient cask maturation.
| Volume | 75.0 cl. |
| Grape Variety | 100% Sercial – the driest and most refined Madeira grape, planted on the island's highest and coolest vineyards, giving the wine a lively, crisp acidity. |
| Drinking window | Ready to drink now — thanks to the nature of Madeira, this wine remains stable for many years, both in bottle and after opening. |
| Serveren bij | Excellent as an aperitif, lightly chilled and served between 11-12°C. Also delicious with almonds, olives, smoked fish or a light consommé. |
| Alc. | 20.0% |
| Vinification | Traditional Madeira vinification: the must from the Sercial grapes is fermented almost to dryness before being fortified (mutage) with neutral grape spirit, resulting in a drier, refined style with lively acidity. |
| Ripening | Aged for more than 46 years using the traditional canteiro method: in oak casks in the naturally heated lodges (armazéns) of the wine house, giving the Madeira its characteristic oxidative character and remarkable longevity. |
What the critics say
Robert Parker Wine Advocate
94/ 100
Published 27-11-2019
“The just-released 1980 Sercial from Blandy's is showing very well, opening in the glass with aromas of toasted walnuts, candied peel, white tea, orange oil and aromatic bitters. On the palate, it's full-bodied, deep and multidimensional, with racy acids, excellent tension at the core and a long, sophisticatedly saline finish. This Sercial spent 36 years in barrel, and 202 cases were produced.”
— William Kelley, Robert Parker Wine Advocate
The producer
Madeira Wine Company SA
This group brings together Blandy's, Leacock's, Cossart Gordon and Miles, and with them an impressive stock of old wines. Chris Blandy and winemaker Francisco Albuquerque make approachable, rounded Madeira with real depth.