Broadbent Madeira Colheita 1999

Toasted sesame, date, walnut bread and cocoa notes mingle here, giving this a solid baseline, while a racy ginger streak imparts spine. The finish is sweet along the edges, with a slightly austere bitter almond accent running down the middle.

The 1999 Colheita offers up a rich bouquet of dates, figs, brown sugar, walnuts and honey. On the palate, it's medium to full-bodied, fleshy and supple, with an open-knit, layered and nicely concentrated core, lively acids and a pure, expansive finish. This is a touch less deep and racy than the 1996 rendition tasted alongside, but it is a charming and accessible Madeira and a fine example of its medium-rich style.