Broadbent Madeira 5 Years Old Malmsey Reserve

Pairs with: Sticky toffee pudding, dark chocolate lava cake, warm pecan pie, intensely savory blue cheeses (like Stilton or Roquefort), roasted walnuts, or simply enjoyed all on its own as the ultimate liquid dessert.

Good for: An absolute staple on your bar cart because it is practically indestructible (once opened, a bottle will keep beautifully for months or even years without spoiling!), capping off a lavish dinner party, or sipping slowly by the fireplace on a chilly evening.

Grape: 100% Malmsey (also known as Malvasia), the richest and sweetest of the classic noble Madeira varieties.

I am from: Madeira DOC, Portugal (a rugged, subtropical volcanic island rising out of the Atlantic Ocean).

The Story: The story of modern Madeira in America is deeply intertwined with Bartholomew Broadbent. In the late 1980s and 90s, Broadbent spearheaded a passionate movement to reintroduce this legendary fortified wine—famously used by the Founding Fathers to toast the signing of the Declaration of Independence—back to the global stage. To craft this 5-Year Old Reserve, he partnered with Justino's, one of the oldest and most revered historic production houses on the island.

The true magic of Madeira lies in its historic trial by fire. Born on sheer, hand-tended volcanic terraces, the wine undergoes a unique, intentional heating and aging process called estufagem. This method perfectly mimics the intense, sweltering heat that barrels historically endured in the cargo holds of 17th-century sailing ships crossing the equator. By cooking and oxidizing the wine during its creation, it becomes utterly immortal. Heat, air, and time have already done their worst to it in the winery, meaning a bottle opened today will still taste fresh, vibrant, and complex years down the road.

Why You'll Love Me: It is decadent, deeply complex, and brilliantly balanced—the undisputed heavyweight champion of dessert wines that completely avoids feeling heavy or cloying thanks to a thrilling backbone of natural acidity. In the glass, it pours a dark, luxurious amber-topaz color with shimmering golden-brown reflections. The nose is an absolute aromatic powerhouse, instantly greeting you with a fragrant explosion of dried figs, golden raisins, and medjool dates, seamlessly interwoven with dark molasses, roasted walnuts, dark cocoa, and burnt orange peel. On the palate, it hits with a full, unctuous, and velvety body that luxuriously coats the mouth. Rich, concentrated flavors of espresso, liquid caramel, and sweet baking spices glide effortlessly across the tongue. Just when the sweetness threatens to take over, Madeira’s signature, volcanic alpine acidity cuts straight through the richness like a laser, leaving the palate completely refreshed and driving into an incredibly long, warming, and nutty finish.