The Carmo Vinhos Estate
Carmo Vinhos wines are produced at Henriques & Henriques Vinhos S. A.that was founded in 1850 by Joao Joachim Henriques. Associated are: Belem’s Madeira Wine Lda. (founded in 1932), Casa dos Vinhos da Madeira Lda. (founded in 1932), Carmo Vinhos Lda.: Carmo Vinhos was established in 1928 to ship Madeira wine to Sweden. In 1944, the company started to diversify its markets and included other Scandinavian markets and eventually Austria, Germany, the U.S.A. as well as Japan . For many years Carmo Vinhos were the producers and bottlers of Madeira wines for Harveys of Bristol for the British market and also for Australia , New Zealand and Denmark .
Carmo's wines have long been appreciated by many connaisseurs all over the world as fine classical Madeira wines
Henriques & Henriques is now the largest producer of Madeira wines in the island. Today the company is run by John Cossart whose father Peter Cossart entered the firm in 1938.
The Carmo Vinhos Vineyard
Contrary to most other Madeira wine producing companies, Henriques y Henriques owns some vineyards. In the 1990's they even established a new vineyard of 10 hectares (24.7 acres) which is accessible to machines. Also they built a new adega in Quinta Grande so that the company can work with state of the art equipment. All the vinification and estufagem (oven process) is done here. The wines then mature down in the Belem lodge.
Madeira lies isolated in the Atlantic some 400 miles west of the Moroccan coast. Its volcanic soil and sub-tropical climate produce grapes with flavors that are particularly intense and individual. The varied and distinctive styles of Madeira wine owe much of their character to gentle heating by the unique “estufa” process.
Carmo Vinhos Madeira Bual 10 Yr has depth, medium body, acidity and sweetness. Lively and full with delicious flavors of caramel and toffee and a lasting aftertaste. Delicious as a dessert wine. This wine demonstrates the perfection of the blender's art and is to be savored.
Carmo Vinhos Madeira Malmsey 10 Yr is richest style of Madeira. With a deep amber color, this intense wine has a complex flavor of walnuts, dried fruits, coffee and caramel. Full body hiding the acidity and a very long finish. An excellent accompaniment to coffee.
A light pale, dry wine, which is best served well chilled or on the rocks or even as a long drink with tonic. A fragrant delicate wine that is crisply dry and fruity. It makes a perfect aperitif to accompany canapés.
Carmo Vinhos Madeira Sercial 10 Yr is the driest style of Madeira, a light bodied wine with a distinctive nutty nose. An excellent apertif. The concentration at this age has produced a very attractive and interesting wine, with a long finish.
Carmo Vinhos Madeira Verdejo 10 Yr an amber medium dry wine with medium body and acidity. Rich aroma and flavor of dried fruits, nuts and caramel, showing a vibrant character, lengthy and well balanced. An excellent aperitif or as an accompaniment to pates.
All older vintage wines have been purchased from a single collectors cellar. Pictures can be requested before shipment.
Halter Ranch Vineyard Ancestor Estate Reserve is made from 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Malbec, 17% Petit Verdot,
Their flagship wine, Ancestor is their Bordeaux-style reserve blend, and an homage to the Ancestor Tree, the largest Coast Live Oak on record. The 2019 Ancestor showcases aromas of red currant and dark chocolate along with subtle hints of cinnamon and clove. The entry is soft and rich with layered flavors of blueberry, blackberry, and dark cherry. The mid- palate is thick and mouth coating with balanced acid. The finish is framed by integrated tannins and delicate flavors of caramel and truffle.
Pair with roasted meats, reduction sauces, and hearty stews.
Review:
Cabernet is more than half of this wine, with Petit Verdot and Malbec making up the rest. Rich and ripe with deep black plums and plenty of Christmas spice with just a touch of evergreen tips freshness. The palate is lushly fruited, rich with blackberry jam, chocolate and cherries and a touch of smoky cedar to finish. Rich, redolent fruits and dusty cocoa powder mark the finish deep and long-lasting. (CP)
-Decanter 91 Points