Tasting Notes
John Gilman 90
The 1903 Boal from d Oliveira is a very nice bottle, but it is not in the same league as the legendary 1922 vintage of this wine. The bouquet is a complex and pretty laid back (by Madeira standards) blend of prunes, tea leaves, celery seed, orange peel and coffee. On the palate the wine is fullish and quite gentle on the attack, with a good core and very nice soil inflection, moderate depth and a good, long and tangy backend. A very, very nice wine, but not a superstar. (Drink between 2009-2050)
JancisRobinson.com 17
Bottled 2003. Light, bright tawny. Rather fusty nose at first. Very treacly and concentrated with aggressive attack. There is something a little metallic and hard about the end of the palate but it’s amazingly persistent. Quite rich. This may have been kept in wood a little bit too long but it’s amazing how well it has stood up to the experience. It smells a little like liquid treacle.
