It's been a while since the last post. I don't have any tasting notes to add, but I wanted to post a flick of three Graham's vintages that I can't wait to taste.
Cheers,
Bill
02 February 2008
Unposted Notes of 07
So,
It's been a while since I've sat down to post notes on anything, and in the meanwhile, I've done a good bit of sipping. Here are my thoughts on a number of bottles consumed last year...
GRAHAM'S VINTAGE 1977
A clear, mature burgundy/maroon - relatively dark compared to the other 77's that I've sampled. The nose is lovely, giving lush aromas of black raspberry jam and smokey exotic spices with hints of vanilla bean.
The palate is beautifully smooth with waves of spicy, plummy fruit and that streak of licorice that seems to be characteristic of Graham's style. The tannins are silky and the finish goes on and on.
Overall, a beauty of a port - it has that powerful decadent quality that you would expect from Graham's, but with the refined elegance of thirty years of age. This one definitely lived up to the billing of this classic vintage and has a long life left.
-Tasted May 07
DOW'S VINTAGE 1994
Showing a moderate amount of maturity in it's color at this point, being a vibrant garnet/purple with a slightly rusty hue around the rim. The nose is beautiful, bursting with black raspberry, blueberry, cocoa, and figs.
The palate initially packs a wallop of ripe dark berry fruit and then reveals a subtler layer of earthy dark chocolate notes that flow smoothly into an exceptionally long finish with notes of spices - licorice, cardomom and black tea come to mind. The tannins are smooth at this point but firm and very approachable.
Though it is quite obvious that this is a port that will continue to flesh out and develop for a long time to come, I certainly don't regret having cracked it at this stage - it's simply delicious - balanced, complex, and with that refined dryness unique to Dow's. It was one of those ports that I was already missing before it was gone, and another piece of proof to me that the 94's are definitely deserving of the praise they've received.
-Tasted late 07
FONSECA, QUINTA DO PANASCAL VINTAGE 2001
Vibrant royal purple in color going ruby around the edge. The first night that i opened the bottle the nose was a bit hesitant, though there was definitely some ripe dark fruit present, as well as a hint of a floral note. The following day it opened up wonderfully, giving damp earth, raspberry preserves, truffles, flowers and mineral notes.
The palate also opened up on the second day showing loads of ripe black fruit followed by a wave of black pepper, which was very prominent on the first night, but integrated nicely on day two. The structure is solid but not huge, with silky tannins and balanced acidity.
This isn't the blockbuster type, this wine has a sensual and exotic style, enticing the senses similar to the way that a fine burgundy does. I found it impressively complex for a wine from a single Quinta. Probably not a bottle to store for the long haul, though it definitely has aging potential - and coming in at half the price of the 97, 00, or 03 Fonseca vintages, this is a great option for drinking on the younger side.
-Tasted Jan 08
A COUPLE OF UN-NOTED BOTTLES:
WARRE'S VINTAGE 2000
I drank this bottle in late 07 and didn't write notes on it. However, to summarize my impression, I enjoyed it very much. It reminded me very much of the Warre's 94, with that same very smooth and full palate of velvety, slightly raisin and prune laced dark fruits backed up with black pepper and licorice notes, though not as evolved as the 94 at this stage of course. Well structured and balanced. I would love to have this port again a bit further down the line when it has fleshed out some more, but it was pretty approachable and very delicious to drink now.
FONSECA, GUIMARAENS VINTAGE 1991I drank this one in late 07 as well, around Thanksgiving I believe, with Harrington Chesterfield. This was my second time sampling this vintage of this Fonseca single quinta port, the first time being 5 or 6 years prior. I can't say I was overly impressed this time around. I remember it being a big fat fruit bomb the first time around - dark color and lots of big dark fruit. This time, though it's still a dark purple color and packs a good deal of jammy fruit on the palate, the alcohol seems to be showing through the fruit a bit. I did enjoy it for sure, but it just didn't have that structure and balance of a great port that makes you want to keep on sipping it. One to drink now.
29 April 2007
50 Cent Port
Mukuyu Vintage Tawny Port April 1, 2007
When I saw this tawny on the shelf I knew I wasn’t in for a grand tasting experience but I couldn’t resist the 50 cent price tag. It is also the only Zimbabwe port I have seen so far. In the glass it’s fairly dark for a tawny, copper in color. The nose is slightly sour and uninviting. It’s not altogether unpleasant on the palate. Initially sweet and raisiny but it transitions rather quickly to a woody and nutty finish. I’ve hard far worse bottles that garner a 20 dollar price tag. I now have the somewhat dubious honor of drinking the least and most expensive bottles in EPTT history. Cheers from Zimbabwe. Enjoy the port!
When I saw this tawny on the shelf I knew I wasn’t in for a grand tasting experience but I couldn’t resist the 50 cent price tag. It is also the only Zimbabwe port I have seen so far. In the glass it’s fairly dark for a tawny, copper in color. The nose is slightly sour and uninviting. It’s not altogether unpleasant on the palate. Initially sweet and raisiny but it transitions rather quickly to a woody and nutty finish. I’ve hard far worse bottles that garner a 20 dollar price tag. I now have the somewhat dubious honor of drinking the least and most expensive bottles in EPTT history. Cheers from Zimbabwe. Enjoy the port!
South African Port on the Zambezi River
Allesverloren 2003 Vintage of South Africa March 18, 2007
It’s hard to write a bad review of a port that was enjoyed on a sunset float down the Zambezi River. The port was surprisingly good for a non-Portuguese wine. A fairly locked up nose with subtle hints of toasted nuts. Comes across as sweet, tart, and soft. Rather nutty tasting more like a young tawny than a vintage port. Maybe they mislabeled the bottle. Still an unforgettable experience. Definitely the first time I’ve sipped a port while an elephant was swimming through a river in front of me. Cheers from Zimbabwe.
It’s hard to write a bad review of a port that was enjoyed on a sunset float down the Zambezi River. The port was surprisingly good for a non-Portuguese wine. A fairly locked up nose with subtle hints of toasted nuts. Comes across as sweet, tart, and soft. Rather nutty tasting more like a young tawny than a vintage port. Maybe they mislabeled the bottle. Still an unforgettable experience. Definitely the first time I’ve sipped a port while an elephant was swimming through a river in front of me. Cheers from Zimbabwe.
18 April 2007
A MALTY DIGRESSION
Well, seeing as how we're all veering a bit off the topic of sipping badass port wines, I figured I would throw out an oddball as well. Two nights ago I drank this bomber bottle (22oz.)of Anchor Liberty Ale from San Francisco. Since I first remember tasting it in California in 1997 it's been right up at the top of my list of favorite brews. For me it just strikes the perfect balance. It has a very smooth maltiness with lots of depth, and still acheives a crisp, hoppy snappiness on the finish. In between all that there are lovely subtleties - an understated nutiness and flowery hop notes. It's just an awesome beer, hands down, you can't really quite compare it to much else. Anchor has a unique style. I should also say, I do enjoy the classic and better known Anchor Steam Beer, as well as the rich, smooth porter, but for me the Liberty is still tops! If you haven't tried it - find it - and drink it! Cheers!
L.H.
05 April 2007
Finally - A review from B. Livingston
I won't even pretend that I have tasted ports with the frequency of Lamont. However, my relocation to Portland, OR, may provide me with more opportunities to find bottles than my previous work location. After reading the reviews posted by Lamont and fiending for a tasty port, I finally scored a bottle, albeit somewhat average. I can find over 100 microbrewed beers in my town, but not one vintage port. I enjoy Warre’s vintages, and thought a traditional style 1995 LBV for $20 was worth a shot. After all, the port is 12 years old and Warre’s is a quality house.
Warre’s 1995 traditional LBV, bottled 1999
The wine is still purple and has a nose of berries and dark fruits, most notably black cherries. A full palate of ripe fruits with moderate tannins that compliment the nose. Showing some age on the palate as the fruits taste well fleshed-out. Does not have the depth, grip, or finish of a full vintage, but superior to most LBVs as it is not too sweet and does not finish hot. 1995 is not an outstanding vintage, so for the year, this is a good wine; far above the vintage character products available for a similar price. 3/30/06.
Warre’s 1995 traditional LBV, bottled 1999
The wine is still purple and has a nose of berries and dark fruits, most notably black cherries. A full palate of ripe fruits with moderate tannins that compliment the nose. Showing some age on the palate as the fruits taste well fleshed-out. Does not have the depth, grip, or finish of a full vintage, but superior to most LBVs as it is not too sweet and does not finish hot. 1995 is not an outstanding vintage, so for the year, this is a good wine; far above the vintage character products available for a similar price. 3/30/06.
04 April 2007
Quinta do Infantado Vintage 2003
Joao Luis of Quinta do InfantadoSo,
It's been a minute since my last report. Of course this adventure started out like so many others in the past - Lillian happened to ask me a question about port while we were at work, we got into an extended conversation about it, and by the time it was over we were planning the evening around buying and drinking a bottle (sound familiar?). Anyway, being that we weren't in the market for anything particularly extravagant, we decided to go for something young and reasonably affordable. We ended up choosing the Quinta do Infantado 2003 - on the shelf for $49.99. Being that I had fond memories of the 85 Infantado that I drank a number of years ago, as well as the 92 LBV, and along with the fact that I have yet to pop anything from the 03 vintage, it seemed like an intriguing choice. Here were my notes:
The color is a dark, royal purple. On the nose it's still a little tight, but shows pleasing notes of dark fruit, chocolate, and damp earth. The palate is full with lots of ripe boysenberry fruit and black pepper, and is permeated by a certain earthiness similar to the earthy notes on the nose. That particular quality makes this an interesting port to drink and gives it an almost handmade sort of appeal - like a port with a real sense of terroir. I mean that in a good way; it still has nice structure, good concentration, and very smoothed-out tannins for such a young port. It's definitely enjoyable now, thuough it obviously has a long way to go to reach it's peak. I'd probably like to pop it again in about 10 years, maybe 15. It seems to me, from the three bottles that I've now sampled from Quinta do Infantado, that they definitely make they're own breed of port, and it's a tasty breed at that. If you like something a little more homegrown and unique, try Infantado.
- Lamont Huxley
It's been a minute since my last report. Of course this adventure started out like so many others in the past - Lillian happened to ask me a question about port while we were at work, we got into an extended conversation about it, and by the time it was over we were planning the evening around buying and drinking a bottle (sound familiar?). Anyway, being that we weren't in the market for anything particularly extravagant, we decided to go for something young and reasonably affordable. We ended up choosing the Quinta do Infantado 2003 - on the shelf for $49.99. Being that I had fond memories of the 85 Infantado that I drank a number of years ago, as well as the 92 LBV, and along with the fact that I have yet to pop anything from the 03 vintage, it seemed like an intriguing choice. Here were my notes:
The color is a dark, royal purple. On the nose it's still a little tight, but shows pleasing notes of dark fruit, chocolate, and damp earth. The palate is full with lots of ripe boysenberry fruit and black pepper, and is permeated by a certain earthiness similar to the earthy notes on the nose. That particular quality makes this an interesting port to drink and gives it an almost handmade sort of appeal - like a port with a real sense of terroir. I mean that in a good way; it still has nice structure, good concentration, and very smoothed-out tannins for such a young port. It's definitely enjoyable now, thuough it obviously has a long way to go to reach it's peak. I'd probably like to pop it again in about 10 years, maybe 15. It seems to me, from the three bottles that I've now sampled from Quinta do Infantado, that they definitely make they're own breed of port, and it's a tasty breed at that. If you like something a little more homegrown and unique, try Infantado.
- Lamont Huxley
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)