Blandy’s, synonymous with superior Madeira wines, announces the release of a 1969 Bual that was naturally aged for an astounding 43 years. Blandy’s patiently waited for just the right time to bottle this wine and only 162 are available in the U.S. with an SRP of $230. This medium rich wine was aged in American oak casks in the traditional “canteiro” system used for only the highest quality Madeira’s in which the wine is heated naturally by the sun in the south-facing lofts of the Blandy’s Wine Lodge, a technique the Blandy’s family has practiced for over 200 years. Only the very highest quality wines use this historic method.
Under European Union Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) regulations, the minimum a vintage Madeira wine must be aged for is 20 years. Blandy’s 1969 Bual was aged nearly twice the required time developing a flavor profile that cannot be duplicated. Surprisingly bright in color with a golden hue, this wine releases powerful aromas of aged Balsamic, roasted nuts, sweet vanilla and candied fruit. On the palate the wine’s flavors are densely concentrated, however balanced with a long finish of intense fruit and exotic woods from the decades spent in American oak. The wine is ready to be enjoyed immediately and does not need decanting. Since Madeira is a fortified wine the shelf life is indefinite once opened.
Seventh generation Chris Blandy, CEO of Blandy’s Madeira, is very excited about announcing the release of 1969 Bual, “It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to release a wine that was put into casks before my birth. Madeira is the only wine that can age this long and be released decades later. The 1969 Bual is a captured piece of history from Madeira and my family.”
BLANDY’S VINTAGE BUAL 1969
The Blandy’s are unique in being the only family of all the original founders of the Madeira wine trade to still own and manage their own original wine company. The family has played a leading role in the development of Madeira wine throughout its long history and in the economic development of this remote Atlantic Island an members of the family continue to live on Madeira maintaining a tradition that goes back to 1811. Blandy’s Madeira remains totally dedicated to the traditions, care, and craftsmanship of Madeira Wine making and has been owned by the same family for 200 years and seven generations.
HARVEST & VINIFICATION
1969 was an excellent year for Bual, with good yields and outstanding wines that were potentially set apart to be matured to vintage Madeira. Blandy’s Vintage Bual 1969 underwen fermentation off the skins with natural yeasts. Vintage Madeiras must be aged 20 years in cask before their release. This wine was aged for 43 years in seasoned American oak casks in the traditional ‘Canteiro’ system, whereby the wine is gently heated by the natural temperature in the lofts of the company’s south-facing lodge in Funchal. Over the years the wine is transferred from the top floor to the middle floor and eventually to the ground floor where it is cooler. The wine is regularly racked during the ageing process and is finally bottled when the desired balance of maturity is reached.
Wine specifications
- Alcohol by Volume: 21%
- Volatile acidity: 9.7 g/l tartaric acid
- Primary Varietal: Bual
- Date of Bottling: November 2012
- Barrel Aged: Aged in seasoned American oak casks
- Cases produced: 128 (9L cases)
- Shelf life after opening: Indefinite
- UPC: 094799050506 x 750 ml
Current tasting notes
Crystalline bright color with golden highlights and a greenish hue. Exuberant and intense aroma. Balsamic notes, spices and nuts with aromas of candied fruit, vanilla and walnut shell. The palate is concentrated, medium sweet, very round, with a long aftertaste of dried fruits and exotic woods.
Food pairing and serving
Blandy’s Vintage 1969 Bual is a superb accompaniment to dessert dishes, especially chocolat and cheeses or can be enjoyed on it own. Madeira is best served in classic Port wine glassware or white wine glasses. Avoid cordial or liqueur glasses as they are too small to fully appreciate the wine’s aromas.
Storage
Store the bottle horizontally in a dark place with constant cool temperature, ideally 55ºF.
Decanting
Blandy’s Vintage 1969 Bual is fined and does not require decanting. It has been bottled when it is ready for drinking and will keep for several months after opening.
Drinking status
These wines are bottled ready to drink and require no additional aging or decanting.
About Blandy’s Madeira
Blandy’s Madeira is a family-owned wine company, founded in 1811 by John Blandy. Throughout its long history on the island, the Blandy’s have played a leading role in the development of Madeira wine and continue to live on the island of Madeira, maintaining a family tradition that dates back to the 1800’s. Today, Blandy’s Madeira is run by seventh generation family member, Chris Blandy, and is the world’s leading producer of premium quality Madeira wine. The Blandy’s are unique in being the only family of Madeira wine production to still own and actively manage its own wine company. Its leadership in innovation, winemaking, sales and marketing has resulted in the success of Madeira wine internationally for over 200 years. For more information about Blandy’s Madeira visit blandys.com.
