History
Vintage Madeira and the very fine old soleras are invariably rare, venerable and highly priced (although still astonishingly cheap compared to similarly aged port, Bordeaux or Sauternes, none of which have anything like the same longevity). Sustained both by fortification and by its high acidity, Madeira seems to be an almost indestructible wine: a vintage of 30 years age still being in its infancy, one of 60 barely in its prime and almost all vintages over 100 still alive and vigorous. 19th century vintage Madeira is increasingly scare and sought after, but 18th century Madeira, now entering its third century, is most desirable of all. All eighteenth century vintage
Madeira is rare, but this Bual is arguably the most spectacular bottling of all. Only the 1790 Terrantez can compare, but that, while just as rare, doesn’t have the same fascinating and romantic history.