92pts Wine Spectator

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.

91pts Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

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.

Winemaker Notes

The winter of 1998/9 was characterized by above-normal rainfall, with relatively low temperatures. February and March were rainy months. The cold weather did not occur almost throughout the year and the conditions for flowering were good. From August to mid-September temperatures were favorable for grape ripening. Grapes with moderate levels of sugar and good quality came from south and north coast from Madeira Island.