TN:McWilliams Mount Pleasant Solera-aged RareLiqueurVerdelho

[Prester John]

In the words of my wine-loving friend Jamie, let me commence by saying that this wine had a "rapier-like acidity" which cut through, and simultaneouly kept in check, the sweetness of the wine. The alcohol was noticeable but not overpowering. The initial sweetness was initially so strong that it was evident even on the nose. However, it was never close to that sickening sweetness that one often finds in poor quality fortifieds.

Initally closed, it opened up to the nose beautifully and after some 15 minutes lost a little of its initial sweetness. Strangely, the finish was a little sour and perhaps even ever-so-slightly bitter, but pleasantly do. This sourness or bitterness was lost after the first day and in the ensuing days.

On the second and subsequent days this wine mellowed beautifully yet it's superior breeding remained palpable, with the balance of fruit, sweetness and acidity remaining in balance and later exhibiting a subtle honey characteristic and rancio-like finish.

Finally, just to bore you a little further, here are my more subjective thoughts: this is a wine of unimpeachable quality and pedigree. I can't help thinking that this wine, albeit non-vintage, will be as good 10 years from now as it is now; namely, it my improve in the bottle slightly or not at all but it certainly will not deteriorate. To paraphrase Attila, every now and then one is privileged to experience an exceptional wine. This is one such wine and it sits well with that other exceptional fortified in the McWilliams stable of which I wrote recently: the McWilliams Mount Pleasant Fine Tawny 1979.


PJ.

[Attila]

Strange that I had to wait almost 1 year for a review by someone else (by you John, thank you) on this GREAT wine. It was part of my European tasting last year in Hungary and people lined up for more in the end and noone was spitting. What a great classic! In fact the base wine was made by Maurice O'Shea and Phillip Ryan finished the current blends. The oldest component is from 1938, then this style was not made until the 70's but then revived in the 80's and 90's. The most recent additions to the solera is from the 3 hectares Verdelho plot planted around the Mount Pleasant vineyard. The solera wine is aged in old American and French oak. The fact , that the wines from the 80's were aged in Hungarian oak, perhaps is only interesting to me.
Great, great wine.
Cheers,
Attila

[Prester John]

Thank you for the history on this wine Attila. I'm glad that your thoughts as to the greatness of this wine coincided with mine.

I purchased 6 bottles (375ml) which I intend to drink each year on special occasions. It will be interesting to see if my opinions as to it's quality are borne out over time.

Best,


PJ.

[Adair]

Opened a bottle of this last night. You guys forgot to mention the beautiful aromatics as well.

Yes, it is a gorgeous wine. It took a bit over an hour to open up but when it did it was truly lovely, not relying on power to do all the impressing but complexity and finesse as well.

I look forward to the second half of the bottle tonight.

Adair

[Guest]

Look at you Adair, finally opening the great wine. I´m reading your notes right now in the Star Alliance lounge in Vienna airport. I had a glass of austrian sparkling and some good riesling for breakfast.
Cheers,
Attila

[Adair]

Look at you Adair, finally opening the great wine.

And I still have one more bottle and 2 of the 1979 Tawny.

I´m reading your notes right now in the Star Alliance lounge in Vienna airport.

Sounds like a great place to be... I am sure Vienna is beautiful.

I had a glass of austrian sparkling and some good riesling for breakfast.

Definitely healthier than orange juice and coffee, and tastes better too.

Have a great holiday.

Adair

[Guest]

Thanks Adair,
I've had a great time in Switzerland and France as well. Drunk some interesting wines and the Pinot seminar went well. I'll report on it all when I get back.
Cheers,
Attila