Rare Wine Co. Historic Series Madeira
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About RWC Madeira
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About Mannie
In 1998, The Rare Wine Company began a project to create a series of Madeiras unprecedented in the marketplace: moderately priced wines with the aromatic fingerprint and quintessential texture and flavors of far more expensive vintage Madeiras.

It took years of work, but in 2003, they began releasing the wines which are named in honor of American cities with strong ties to Madeira. New York Malmsey, Boston Boal, and Charleston Sercial all eerily resemble vintage Madeiras -- thanks to the inclusion of wines ranging in age from 30 to 60 years old in the blends. Working with Vinhos Barbeito, which possesses one of the great libraries of legendary 19th century Madeiras, each wine represents a style of Madeira popular in the cities they're named after.

Rare Wine Co. Historic Series Madeira Charleston Sercial NV
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Charleston Sercial celebrates the refined, delicate Madeiras that the 18th- and 19th-century Charlestonians prized. Like any great vintage Sercial, this jewel miraculously balances power and delicacy, with a roomfilling bouquet and long, velvety palate that finishes with an ethereally dry tanginess. With its nutty, tangy flavors, and its relative dryness, it is not only a wonderful aperitif, it is superb with soups, cheeses, and many other foods.

Displayed on the front label is a circa-1885 view of Charleston's Custom House, designed by Ammi B. Young, and built in 1849-1879.

Snapshot
Country Portugal
Region Madeira
Appellation Madeira
Color Golden
Still / Sparkling Still
Bottle Size Full Bottle (750 ml)
Varieties 85% Sercial, 15% Tinta Negro Mole



Ratings

Wine Enthusiast
Joe Czerwinski
93 Points
The Historic Series are simply great Madeiras at reasonable prices. The Charleston Sercial is the driest of the collection, offering nutty aromas tinged with honey, caramel and maple syrup. Dried figs, honey and candied citrus flavors mark the palate, which is wonderfully smooth. The long finish features racy yet balanced acidity.