Henriques and Henriques 20 Year Old Terrantez Madeira

Description

Henriques and Henriques 20 Year Old Terrantez Madeira is a “Meio Seco” or medium dry style of Madeira made from the very rare Terrantez grape variety.

Henriques & Henriques is a Madeira house steeped in history and was established in 1850 by João Joaquim Henriques. What sets Henriques & Henriques apart is their commitment to quality and tradition. They are one of the few producers who still own and cultivate a substantial portion of their vineyards, ensuring control over every aspect of the production process. In 1992, Henriques & Henriques undertook an expansion programme, investing in the construction of new premises in Câmara de Lobos and also building a new winery at Quinta Grande.

Henriques & Henriques possesses a remarkable library of aged Madeiras, including rare Garrafeira wines and Solera bottlings. Their collection of old wines includes the “Heavenly Quartet” – four legendary wines from the late 18th century. This dedication to preserving and showcasing Madeira’s ageing potential, combined with its focus on noble grape varieties, makes it a true benchmark for the quality of Madeira Wine. They remain one of the top producers along with Blandy’s, Barbeito, Cossart Gordon and Justinho’s.

The Terrantez is a rare grape variety that was once widely grown on Madeira. Due to a combination of low yields and the mid-19th century oidium (powdery mildew) and phylloxera epidemics, by the 1900s it was nearly extinct. As of 2021, there were just 5.64 hectares (13.9 acres) of Terrantez plantings. It has a remarkable ability to age well developing layers of complexity and a lengthy finish.

After the grapes for the Henriques and Henriques 20 Year Old Terrantez Madeira are crushed, fermentation begins. The process is halted at a specific point by the addition of neutral grape spirit, fortifying the wine and determining its sweetness level. Then the unique ageing process of Madeira begins.

Henriques and Henriques 20 Year Old Terrantez Madeira is made using the “Canteiro” method which is used for all their 10, 15 and 20 year old Madeiras. The Canteiro method involves ageing casks naturally in the warm attics of their warehouses. Exposed to the island’s temperature variations over many years, the slower, more gradual process results in complex, nuanced wines, with superb concentration and excellent consistency.

Bottled at 20% ABV.