89 Neal Martin - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

"The 1973 Verdelho has fine definition and focus on the nose with light resin and honeycomb aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp acidity with lightly honeyed fruit, white pepper, freshly shaved ginger and spice. There is fine weight and composure on the finish with that ginger tang lingering on the aftertaste. This is very attractive." "It was in 1850 that Joao Pereira d’Oliveira founded his company. He initially sold wines to other shippers, and it was not until the 1970s that they began to sell Madeira wines under their own label (though they continued to sell and buy lots, to and from other shippers.) It is a small company, but there are plentiful stocks of reserve wines. Their policy is to bottle on demand, which means their vintage wines can invariably benefit from extended cask aging. Let us begin with their reserve wines, which are mainly Tinta Negra Mole and are matured under estufugem."