Malvasia Reserva 5 years

Good entry-level Madeira, but noticeably better than most 5-year-old Malvasia bottlings from other producers. Toasted almonds lead into honey and a whisper of smoke. The palate is lightly caramelised, fresh, and polished - round enough to enjoy solo, though it comes alive next to desserts. Good acidity holds everything together. I've tasted this many times but never written it down - it deserves the record.