Recommended by the New York Times, Wine Spectator, Food & Wine, and Many More. Check out our recent press.

Award-winning SF wine shop – free local delivery & fast nationwide shipping. Learn more

D'Oliveiras Verdelho Madeira 1981

$55000
Use code 10OFF to get 10% off 12+ bottles
A 1981 vintage Verdelho from the family house other Madeira firms turned to when they needed old wine. In the 1970s and '80s, when the Madeira Wine Company (Blandy's, Cossart and others) ran short of old vintages, they called on d'Oliveiras. The reason is a happy accident of history. Until great-grandsons Aníbal and Luis D'Oliveira joined in 1968, the firm had never exported. It sold only on the island, mostly to other producers, so it ended up with the largest collection of cask-aged old vintage Madeiras on Madeira. Luis is a firm believer in long cask ageing, so the old vintages stay in wood and are bottled only to order. He was also one of the first to print the bottling date on the back label, so check yours to see when this one left the barrel. Verdelho is the middle path in Madeira: it tastes fairly sweet but finishes dry, which makes it more versatile at the table than the richer styles. It's a lovely birth-year or anniversary bottle, and it's still made by the same family, now Luis and his nephew Felipe.

Shipping

Every step of the journey is managed to uphold the integrity of each bottle.

  • Nationwide Access: Flat-rate shipping available to most U.S. states with delivery in 3-5 business days.
  • Temperature-Monitored Shipping: We closely monitor weather conditions and make informed decisions to ensure shipments travel safely, with insulated packaging and refrigerated transport available when required.
  • Wine-Specific Protective Packaging: Specialized materials designed to maintain label integrity and prevent breakage during transit.
  • Provenance Assured: All wines are maintained in climate-controlled conditions at our shop until the moment of dispatch.

Returns & Exchanges

We stand behind every bottle we sell.

  • If the wine is less than 10 years old and it is corked, you may return it to us for a full refund or exchange within 60 days of purchase. You must show us proof of purchase. We understand that you may not live near a shop and that it is difficult to ship open bottles of wine to us, so if there's any problem feel free to Contact Us and we'll work it out.
  • For wines older than 10 years, the consumer bears the risk of a faulty cork, but we accept returns of older bottles if the wine is faulty as a result of improper storage. Please come by the store or Contact Us if there is a problem.
  • We may, at our discretion and to the extent permitted by law, accept returns of unopened wines within 30 days of purchase if they were properly stored by the purchaser, subject to a 15% re-stocking fee.

View our complete return policy →

Have Questions?

Our team is here to help.

Hours

Monday - Friday: 11am - 8pm

Saturday: 12pm - 5pm

CLOSED SUNDAYS

Email: help@flatiron-wines.com
Phone: (415) 780-1405


Add your content here

More about

Wine Details

  • Grape Variety

    Verdelho

  • Vintage

    1981

  • Size

    750ml

  • Farming Practice

    Traditional

  • Style

    Aromatic , Fruity

  • Sweetness

    Off-Dry

  • Body

    Full Bodied

Flatiron's Take

From the Importer

Tasting Notes & Food Pairings

Perfect Pairings

Clear beef or mushroom consommé; smoked or salted Marcona almonds; aged Comté or aged Gouda; chicken liver pâté on toast; foie gras terrine.

Tasting Profile

Expect the classic profile of long cask-aged Verdelho Madeira: dried apricot, toasted walnut, caramel and orange peel with a touch of smoke. Gently sweet and lush on the palate, lifted by the bright, tangy acidity Madeira is known for, with a long, savoury, clean finish. Think a livelier, tangier old tawny Port.