Blandy's 10 YO Sercial

As warmer weather approaches, this is a wine that should immediately come to mind at apéritif time. This bone-dry style, with its inimitable nutty character, is so fresh, so vibrant. It has some tannins, enlivening acidity giving a great lift at the end. Bring on the freshly salted, roasted almonds.

Crisp and clean, with plenty of minerally essence to the rose petal, blood orange and passion fruit flavors, followed by buttery notes on the vibrant finish. Drink now through 2022.

Chris Blandy told me that the Non Vintage Sercial 10 Year Old was exposed to greater heat than previous bottlings, the fermentation stopped slightly early to increase the level of residual sugar (55 grams per liter) and speed up the aging process. Bottled in 2015, it has a detailed bouquet with beeswax, cloves, grilled walnut and a hint of undergrowth. The palate is medium-bodied with a slight bitterness on the entry. Moderate weight in the mouth with well-judged acidity, there is just a suggestion of viscosity towards the finish that is oxidative and tinged with lemongrass. It just needs a little more persistence perhaps? Still, this should offer a decade's worth of drinking pleasure, possibly more. This is available in both the U.S. and the U.K.