”Bleasdale has a long-established history with fortified wines, its roof space stacked with old oak barrels slowly evaporating and concentrating. This blend, averaging a minimum of 18 years, is grenache-dominant, with support from shiraz, verdelho, tinta roriz, tinta madeira, red frontignac and touriga. A mid–deep amber rather than the heavier tawny expected in a wine of such age. It tells us of the freshness to follow, a hallmark of the wine, with vibrant baking spice, beautifully delicate timbered backdrops, the faintest of nutty rancio just appearing. Importantly, no cloying finish – rather, refreshing, clean and vibrant. Fabulous.”