Henriques & Henriques has established an impeccable reputation as one of the top sources of high-quality Madeira. It is the leading independent Madeira shipping house and practises an uncompromising devotion to the quality of its vineyards and wines. Henriques is the only house we know of that owns and farms a significant proportion of its own vineyards, and it is unique in the holdings of extensive stocks in bottle and cask, some more than a century or two old.
Vintage Madeira, or Garrafeira, must be aged for at least 20 years in cask and a further two years in bottle before release. On the category, Alex Liddell, author of Madeira [Hurst & Company, 2014], has written, “These wines are the glory of Madeira and, with the best examples of dated wines from the past, the yardstick by which it is to be judged to be a world-class wine.” Put simply, these compelling Garrafeira wines can be considered Henriques’ Grand Cru offering.
Malvasia (Malmsey) is Madeira’s sweetest and most luscious noble grape. Aged for decades in cask, this 1954 shows a deep golden-brown hue and aromas of raisins, honey and caramelised fruit, with early notes of rancio and spice. It is rich and full-bodied on the palate, yet bright acidity keeps it fresh rather than cloying through a very long finish. Best served lightly chilled with dark chocolate, rich cake or strong cheese, or sipped after dinner.