Madeira of the week 17: ABSL Boal

ABSL Boal Reserva Vehla;
ABSL: Artur de Barros e Sousa Limited, a very different company indeed. Such charm, such rarity. They make about 4000 bottles in total every year, in one, two or three cuvees. So every wine is a rarity that would make names like DRC embarrased. And, (if you're not lucky), you have to buy the bottle, at their shop, in Funchal (and thats an experience by itself). Nobody alive knows the age of this wine, as the father and grand father of the Olims brothers running ABSL today, wasn't too keen on writing everything in details. This wine is older than the 1970's, probably. How old? Anyones guess. Pale amber, spices, exotic spices, floral, citrus, orange marmalade, but also something fresher, like lime zest, nuts, cake, cinamon, clove, nuanced and elegant. Fresh and high acidity, refreshing, playful, refreshing, pungent, in a gentlemanly way, it's like a Bentley with a leopard coloured exhaust-system. Very elegant, but something going on. Waxy texture, long finish. 92+