Barbeito Rainwater Reserva 5 year old (Half Bottle)

Description

One of the smallest of all Madeira producers, and only founded in 1946 by Ricardo's grandfather, and yet with an extraordinary reputation. Ricardo Diogo de Freitas took over the winemaking at the family firm in 1993, and hasn't looked back. He possesses energy in spades - eRobertParker calls him the Island's "Gamechanger" and its easy to see why, but risks overlooking his commitment to tradition, or at least the reinvention of it. So, Ricardo has been the first to install robotic lagares on the island, the first to bottle vineyard specific Tinta Negra (his Single Harvest, which has to be tasted to be believed), the first to not bottle anything with added caramel, and so the list goes on. Single Cask bottlings, whilst thought of as revolutionary on Madeira, when Ricardo launched the first one (in modern times) in 2003, were really only inspired by the way things were done in older times. 

Grapes from various quality vineyards from Estreito de Câmara de Lobos and Prazeres were used. Grapes were pressed in a pneumatic press. Arresting of fermentation takes place at the desired degree of sweetness by adding vinic alcohol (96%).

Tinta Negra and Verdelho aged in French oak casks during 5 years by the Canteiro method.

This wine was naturally aged in casks and bottled in its purest state. To show it at its best serve between 11ºC and 12ºC and should be kept in a cool dry place. This wine was filtered and does not require decanting. It was bottled ready for drinking and will keep well several months after opening.

Gold colour. Quite aromatic! Caramel, nuts, almonds, candied fruits. Full, and extreme softness. Long and fresh.

Excellent as an aperitif, with salted nuts, olives, tapas, consommé and cheese.