Raymond Reynolds Ltd

Overview

Location: Madeira
Website address: http://www.vinhosbarbeito.com/

It was back in 1993; Ricardo de Freitas' first vintage in his Grandfather’s shoes, that Barbeito became the first Madeira shipper to stop supplying in bulk. Since then, Ricardo has cranked up the quality year by year, to now be the most talked about player on the island, despite being one of the relative minnows. The first to stop using the despised caramel completely; the first to bottle Single Cask wines; the first to put vintage frasqueira into 50cls; the first Madeira producer to win a Jury Decouvertes at Vinexpo; the first to take Tinta Negra Mole so seriously as to treat it like the finest noble variety – and get similar quality results! And not forgetting, Barbeito were also the first and so far only Madeira producer, to bottle a 20 Year Old, to huge critical acclaim, and now latterly the first to bottle a 30 Year Old. Does it end there? Of course not. Barbeito's spectacular new winery is now complete, and Ricardo has been the first on the island to use robotic lagares! Fear not, this is where automation begins and ends in this handcraft centred company.

Wine List

For older vintage information please contact us or consult the producer’s website

Single Harvest and “VB†Reserva Series

The Single Harvest is a single vineyard Tinta Negra Mole. The “VB†a blend of one cask each of Verdelho and Boal.

Both are made in very limited quantity. They make great aperitifs (especially with little parmesan crisps or fresh nuggets), but also match wonderfully with game terrine, duck confit, welsh rarebit and any mushroom dishes.

Single Harvest

Current Vintage: 1999

The 1999 spent 10 years in cask, and the final selection of little more than 3000 bottles stands up as a supremely elegant Madeira. Nothing seems forced or out of place, but freshness balances the hint of rancio, and the praline notes balance the meio seco character.

2000: "This greenish, golden wine aged for nine years in barrel by Madeira's gifted and innovative winemaker Ricardo Diogo. Dry and tangy, but far from austere.  A real shot in the arm. So dramatic it's almost medicinal." Jancis Robinson MW, FT 17/12/2011 (Best festive wines).

Link: PDF

“VB†Verdelho-Boal Lot 3

A new, exciting project from Ricardo. Take one cask each of Verdelho and Boal, mix together and stir gently. Medium-dry, it makes a great aperitif or to have with desserts.

Classic Bottlings

The ‘Veramar’ makes for a brilliant introduction to ‘natural’ Madeira; versatile and accessible. The Sercial just keeps on winning awards, although the Boal is a Wine Merchant’s oft-quoted favourite. Of the Malvasias the 10 Year Old is beautifully balanced and the 30 Year Old a very special glimpse of heaven!

Boal Reserva and Malvasia Reserva

Barbeito’s 5 Year Old Boal is a riot of barley sugar, marmalade and orange character, without ever tasting simplistic or top heavy. The Malvasia is super-fresh, without any cloying notes, but with a generosity on the palate.

Verdelho 10 Years Old Reserve

Overall Fortified Wine Trophy at the International Wine Challenge 2009 (as well as winning the Verdelho Trophy and Overall Madeira Trophy).

Link: PDF

Malvasia 10 Years Old Reserve (Malmsey)

With all its natural acidity intact, this is probably the most nervy, and least obviously sweet of all 10 year old Malvasias (malmseys) on the market. Piquant, candied fruit notes, with overtones of caramel (natural in this case, as of course Barbeito never add caramel before bottling). DC Feb 08

Link: PDF

Sercial 10 Years Old Reserve

Ricardo’s approach to Sercial is not to make it as raspingly dry as you might expect, which results in a deliciously rounded interpretation of this wine. A regular Gold Medal winner, and one which we would suggest serving between larder and room temperature, rather than fully chilling.

Link: PDF

Malvasia Special Reserve 30 Year Old

Link: PDF

Single Cask Series

The Single Cask wines are wowing a new generation of discerning wine drinkers to the glories of unadulterated
Madeira. Each unique, but bearing the Barbeito hallmark of lightness of touch combined with dramatic concentration.
Food-matching with these wines is endlessly fascinating, but apple pie (or tarte tatin), tarte aux citron and of course
Foie Gras are particularly delicious.

Malvasia Colheita 2001

Link: PDF

Frasqueira Series

In yet another pioneering move, Barbeito have been the first to bottle a frasqueira (single vintage Madeira, aged for at least 20 years in cask) into 50cl bottles, albeit antique, hand-stencilled ones.

Verdelho 1981 Frasqueira

In yet another pioneering move, Barbeito have been the first to bottle a frasqueira (single vintage Madeira, aged for a least 20 years in case) into 50cl bottles, albeit antique, hand-stencilled ones! A wonderful top-rung of the ladder at a somewhat more accessible price

Link: PDF

Boal 1982 Frasqueira

Larger than life, bold style of Boal. The searing acidity is perfectly balanced with enormous concentration of varietal character (barley sugar, and still some dramatic primary fruit). As with most Frasqueiras, this is probably best served without the distraction of food, even though the power and length risks leaving the taster a little goggle eyed afterwards! 

Link: PDF