Broadbent, Sercial Madeira “Single Cask”

It’s going to be hard to control my excitement over today’s 1997 Sercial because decades-old Vintage Madeira is one of the world’s most complex and singular wines—so please bear with me if I slip into the realm of hyperbole. Aged for 22 years in a single barrel, this rare liquid-gold gem unleashes a devastatingly profound, savory, and ethereal experience with a finish that refuses to relent—truly, it’s one of the most meditative wines of the world. I understand that’s a lot of high praise, but whenever any discerning collector sees Bartholomew Broadbent’s famous white stenciling imprinted on a bottle, they can assure a breathtaking wine with the power to make time stand still lies inside. The man is a Madeira wizard and legend: After reintroducing this fortified nectar to the United States in 1989 and forming a special relationship with Justino’s—one of only eight registered wineries on the ancient volcanic island—Bartholomew made “Broadbent” Madeira the cornerstone of his import comp