Dalva White 20 Years Old
A rich amber colour was accompanied by an intense and grapey nose. This port showed a skilled balance by combining white grape flavours with spicey oak in a just the appropriate degree of sweetness.
Wednesday, 9 October 2013
Dalva Lote Miguel Castro Silva
Dalva Lote Miguel Castro Silva
This was one of C da Silva's special edition white ports. It had a deep amber colour and a grapey nose. The taste was rich and not to sweet, giving a good balance between the fruit and oak components.
This was one of C da Silva's special edition white ports. It had a deep amber colour and a grapey nose. The taste was rich and not to sweet, giving a good balance between the fruit and oak components.
Dalva White 10 Years Old
Dalva White 10 Years Old
This had a golden colour and a fruity nose with hints of nuts. Billed as being dry, this was surpisingly and pleasantly sweet and grapey. Hints of spice from the wood ageing merged in a harmonious combination.
This had a golden colour and a fruity nose with hints of nuts. Billed as being dry, this was surpisingly and pleasantly sweet and grapey. Hints of spice from the wood ageing merged in a harmonious combination.
Dalva White Reserve
Dalva White Reserve
Pale yellow colour. Light nose of dried peaches. There was a hint of sweetness but the main impression was a taste of dried apricots with some wood elements.
Pale yellow colour. Light nose of dried peaches. There was a hint of sweetness but the main impression was a taste of dried apricots with some wood elements.
Graham's Vintage 1994
Graham's Vintage 1994
The colour was a deep ruby with an amber rim. The nose was surprisingly fresh and fruity. This had a very fruity taste with a long slightly spicey finish. A touch of peary aldehyde gave it a hint of medicinality.
The colour was a deep ruby with an amber rim. The nose was surprisingly fresh and fruity. This had a very fruity taste with a long slightly spicey finish. A touch of peary aldehyde gave it a hint of medicinality.
Tuesday, 8 October 2013
Kopke Vintage 1996
Kopke Vintage 1996
The colour was a deep ruby having an amber tinge. The nose was both floral and fruity. On tasting there was an abundance of fresh fruit at the front with a long and satisfying aftertaste. This was a great wine with very little in the way of tannin present.
The colour was a deep ruby having an amber tinge. The nose was both floral and fruity. On tasting there was an abundance of fresh fruit at the front with a long and satisfying aftertaste. This was a great wine with very little in the way of tannin present.
Kopke LBV 2007
Kopke LBV 2007
This had a very dark ruby colour with a significant purple tinge. The nose was pleasantly plummy and grapey. On tasting this proved to be rich, full bodied and grapey with a touch of spice. Some tannins came through at the back.
This had a very dark ruby colour with a significant purple tinge. The nose was pleasantly plummy and grapey. On tasting this proved to be rich, full bodied and grapey with a touch of spice. Some tannins came through at the back.
Monday, 7 October 2013
Quinta da Gaivosa Tawny 20 Year Old
Quinta da Gaivosa Tawny 20 Year Old
The colour was a moderately reddish brown while the nose was rich and nutty. This port was full bodied and sweet. One experienced a mouth full of almonds, barley sugar and molasses in a great harmony.
The colour was a moderately reddish brown while the nose was rich and nutty. This port was full bodied and sweet. One experienced a mouth full of almonds, barley sugar and molasses in a great harmony.
Alves de Sousa Vintage 2009
Alves de Sousa Vintage 2009
This had a deep red colour with a hint of purple. The nose was strong, fresh and grapey. This very full bodied port was fresh and fruity with just a touch of tannin.
This had a deep red colour with a hint of purple. The nose was strong, fresh and grapey. This very full bodied port was fresh and fruity with just a touch of tannin.
Quinta da Gaivosa White 10 Year Old
Quinta da Gaivosa White 10 Year Old
This had a golden brown colour with a strong fruity nose. It was sweet and grapey with a good contribution from the wood.
This had a golden brown colour with a strong fruity nose. It was sweet and grapey with a good contribution from the wood.
Quinta Dona Matilde Vintage 2009
Quinta Dona Matilde Vintage 2009
The colour was a deep purplish red while the nose was rich with a hint of spice. This had a huge amount of body being satisfyingly full of grape flavours with just a hint of tannin.
The colour was a deep purplish red while the nose was rich with a hint of spice. This had a huge amount of body being satisfyingly full of grape flavours with just a hint of tannin.
Quinta Santa Eufêmia LBV 2005
Quinta Santa Eufêmia LBV 2005
The deep ruby colour was combined with a plummy and fruity nose. This full bodied port was fruity, rich, sweet and satisfying.
The deep ruby colour was combined with a plummy and fruity nose. This full bodied port was fruity, rich, sweet and satisfying.
Quinta Santa Eufêmia LBV 2004
Quinta Santa Eufêmia LBV 2004
The colour was a slightly oxidised ruby while there was a rich and plummy nose. This port was satisfyingly rich, full and fruity with very little tannin.
The colour was a slightly oxidised ruby while there was a rich and plummy nose. This port was satisfyingly rich, full and fruity with very little tannin.
Quinta Santa Eufêmia Tawny 30 Year Old
Quinta Santa Eufêmia Tawny 30 Year Old
This had a moderate brown colour with nuts and coffee beans on the nose. This aged tawny had the light style associated with this quinta although it was noticeable richer than their younger ports. There were hints of coffee flavours combined with the raisin sweetness and nutty oakiness.
This had a moderate brown colour with nuts and coffee beans on the nose. This aged tawny had the light style associated with this quinta although it was noticeable richer than their younger ports. There were hints of coffee flavours combined with the raisin sweetness and nutty oakiness.
Quinta Santa Eufêmia Finest Reserve Tawny
Quinta Santa Eufêmia Finest Reserve Tawny
This had a well oxidised deep brown colour with a slight red tinge. The nose was interesting reminding one of caramel and damp cardboard, which was actually more pleasant than it sounds. This port was strikingly smooth and rich combining dried fruit and oak flavours in a complementary fashion.
This had a well oxidised deep brown colour with a slight red tinge. The nose was interesting reminding one of caramel and damp cardboard, which was actually more pleasant than it sounds. This port was strikingly smooth and rich combining dried fruit and oak flavours in a complementary fashion.
Quinta Santa Eufêmia Fine Ruby
Quinta Santa Eufêmia Fine Ruby
There was some turbidity in the ruby colour. The nose was fruity but with a herbal hint. As this was similar to the herbal component of the tawny tasted just before, one wonders if it was drifting in from the garden. On tasting this proved to be a full and fruity wine with just a moderate amount of tannin.
There was some turbidity in the ruby colour. The nose was fruity but with a herbal hint. As this was similar to the herbal component of the tawny tasted just before, one wonders if it was drifting in from the garden. On tasting this proved to be a full and fruity wine with just a moderate amount of tannin.
Quinta Santa Eufêmia Tawny
Quinta Santa Eufêmia Tawny
Well oxidised reddish brown colour with a sweet woody nose having hints of herbs. This was a good example of a basic tawny being sweet with dried fuits and a degree of oaky depth.
Well oxidised reddish brown colour with a sweet woody nose having hints of herbs. This was a good example of a basic tawny being sweet with dried fuits and a degree of oaky depth.
Quinta Santa Eufêmia Fine White
Quinta Santa Eufêmia Fine White
Deep golden colour with a sweet honey nose. This was very sweet, however this was balanced with a contribution from the wood combined with fruit flavours.
Deep golden colour with a sweet honey nose. This was very sweet, however this was balanced with a contribution from the wood combined with fruit flavours.
Sunday, 6 October 2013
Quinta de Marrocos Tawny
Quinta de Marrocos Tawny
This had a slightly oxidised red colour with a fruity and woody nose. Tasting revealed a competent and enjoyable basic tawny port combining sweet fresh and dried fruit flavours with hints of oak in a decent amount of body.
This had a slightly oxidised red colour with a fruity and woody nose. Tasting revealed a competent and enjoyable basic tawny port combining sweet fresh and dried fruit flavours with hints of oak in a decent amount of body.
Quinta de Marrocos Ruby
Quinta de Marrocos Ruby
This had a deep red colour and a plummy nose. Tasting revealed a rich port redolent in plummy fruit flavours with herbal hints.
This had a deep red colour and a plummy nose. Tasting revealed a rich port redolent in plummy fruit flavours with herbal hints.
Quinta de Marrocos LBV 2007 (Bottled 2012)
Quinta de Marrocos LBV 2007 (Bottled 2012)
Deep ruby colour with a purple tinge and a fruity nose. This had a big and full flavour combining grape and plum fruit flavours with a long lasting depth.
Deep ruby colour with a purple tinge and a fruity nose. This had a big and full flavour combining grape and plum fruit flavours with a long lasting depth.
Quinta de Marrocos LBV 2001 (Bottled 2007)
Quinta de Marrocos LBV 2001 (Bottled 2007)
Dark ruby colour with a hint of brown and just a gentle nose. This was very smooth with lots of fruit flavours and hints of tannin.
Dark ruby colour with a hint of brown and just a gentle nose. This was very smooth with lots of fruit flavours and hints of tannin.
Saturday, 5 October 2013
Casa dos Varais Tawny 40 Year Old
Casa dos Varais Tawny 40 Year Old
The colour seemed surprisingly red for such and old port, but it wasn't easy to be sure in the subdued lighting of the dining room. It had a light nose and was sweet and delicious to drink. However I was disappointed with the apparent lack of depth and complexity.
The colour seemed surprisingly red for such and old port, but it wasn't easy to be sure in the subdued lighting of the dining room. It had a light nose and was sweet and delicious to drink. However I was disappointed with the apparent lack of depth and complexity.
Quinta do Tedo Ruby
Quinta do Tedo Ruby
Bright ruby colour with slight turbidity. There was a fresh and fruity nose. On tasting this was very young and grapey with a good amount of body. Thus it represented a very good example of an entry level port.
Bright ruby colour with slight turbidity. There was a fresh and fruity nose. On tasting this was very young and grapey with a good amount of body. Thus it represented a very good example of an entry level port.
Quinta do Tedo Tawny 20 Year Old
Quinta do Tedo Tawny 20 Year Old
Bright amber colour with a tinge of brown. The nose smelt just like a port wine cellar, sweet port mingled with wood. The sweetness of dried fruits was the first impression, which was followed by a long aftertaste from the oak elements.
Bright amber colour with a tinge of brown. The nose smelt just like a port wine cellar, sweet port mingled with wood. The sweetness of dried fruits was the first impression, which was followed by a long aftertaste from the oak elements.
Friday, 4 October 2013
Royal Oporto Tawny 40 Year Old
Royal Oporto Tawny 40 Year Old
This had a reddish amber brown colour with a deeply warming nose of sweet old wood. On tasting there was a long lasting complexity of wood elements tempered by fruit sweetness. The depth meant that the complex flavours lingered long on the palate.
This had a reddish amber brown colour with a deeply warming nose of sweet old wood. On tasting there was a long lasting complexity of wood elements tempered by fruit sweetness. The depth meant that the complex flavours lingered long on the palate.
Real Companhia Velha Ruby Reserve
Real Companhia Velha Ruby Reserve
Rich ruby colour with a plummy nose. This was rich and fruity and not overly tannic either, which made for a competent and enjoyable ruby port.
Rich ruby colour with a plummy nose. This was rich and fruity and not overly tannic either, which made for a competent and enjoyable ruby port.
Quinta Nova de Nosa Senhora do Carno Vintage 1996
Quinta Nova de Nosa Senhora do Carno Vintage 1996
The colour was deep ruby with a hint of brown. There was a full and complex nose containing a plummy fruitiness with hints of pears. This port was rich and sweet carrying a little tannin with lots of plum and prune fruit flavours.
The colour was deep ruby with a hint of brown. There was a full and complex nose containing a plummy fruitiness with hints of pears. This port was rich and sweet carrying a little tannin with lots of plum and prune fruit flavours.
Quinta Nova de Nosa Senhora do Carno Vintage 2000
Quinta Nova de Nosa Senhora do Carno Vintage 2000
There was a rich dark ruby colour with a moderate amount of turbidity. The nose was distinctively plummy. The taste was full bodied, sweet and deliciously grapey. A moderate amount of tannic flavours was present.
There was a rich dark ruby colour with a moderate amount of turbidity. The nose was distinctively plummy. The taste was full bodied, sweet and deliciously grapey. A moderate amount of tannic flavours was present.
Thursday, 3 October 2013
Quinta dos Espinheiros White
Quinta dos Espinheiros White
There was a yellowy brown colour with a fresh and grapey nose. On tasting a well balanced combination of sweet grape flavours and astringent hints of oak was revealed.
There was a yellowy brown colour with a fresh and grapey nose. On tasting a well balanced combination of sweet grape flavours and astringent hints of oak was revealed.
Quinta dos Espinheiros Tawny
Quinta dos Espinheiros Tawny
The colour was a well oxidised orange brown while the nose was quite spicey. Dry oakiness predominated the flavour, which achieved an enjoyable balance of fruit derived sweetness and complex wood elements. There was not a great deal of depth but the overall balance made this port pleasantly approachable.
The colour was a well oxidised orange brown while the nose was quite spicey. Dry oakiness predominated the flavour, which achieved an enjoyable balance of fruit derived sweetness and complex wood elements. There was not a great deal of depth but the overall balance made this port pleasantly approachable.
Quinta dos Espinheiros Ruby
Quinta dos Espinheiros Ruby
This had a burnt red colour and a sweet fruity nose. It was mainly fruity with typical ruby characteristics backed by hints of dried fruits and oak normally associated with tawny port.
This had a burnt red colour and a sweet fruity nose. It was mainly fruity with typical ruby characteristics backed by hints of dried fruits and oak normally associated with tawny port.
Café Bar Arodo Museu Porto da Casa Branco
Café Bar Arodo Museu Porto da Casa Branco
Having walked up the climb from Pinhão to Provesende finding this delightful place was most welcome. The rustic premises were packed with an eclectic collection of household and farm implements, which had been carefully labelled and imaginatively displayed. Clearly a glass of port was called for and at this time of day it had to be white. It had a very pale yellow colour with a light floral nose containing hints of honey sweetness. On tasting I was pleasantly surprised to find it was on the dry side of medium sweetness. As such it was quite quaffable as there was enough sugar to allow the grape flavours to come through whilst being refreshingly lively.
Having walked up the climb from Pinhão to Provesende finding this delightful place was most welcome. The rustic premises were packed with an eclectic collection of household and farm implements, which had been carefully labelled and imaginatively displayed. Clearly a glass of port was called for and at this time of day it had to be white. It had a very pale yellow colour with a light floral nose containing hints of honey sweetness. On tasting I was pleasantly surprised to find it was on the dry side of medium sweetness. As such it was quite quaffable as there was enough sugar to allow the grape flavours to come through whilst being refreshingly lively.
Wednesday, 2 October 2013
Cais da Foz Porto da Casa
Cais da Foz Porto da Casa
Deep reddish brown colour with molasses on the nose. This combined rich burnt sugar flavours with a sweet oakiness.
Deep reddish brown colour with molasses on the nose. This combined rich burnt sugar flavours with a sweet oakiness.
Quinta do Bucheiro White
Quinta do Bucheiro White
Golden colour with a light floral nose. This was sweet, smooth and pleasantly grapey.
Golden colour with a light floral nose. This was sweet, smooth and pleasantly grapey.
Cálem Quinta da Foz Vintage 1997
Cálem Quinta da Foz Vintage 1997
The ruby colour was tinged with brown. The nose was sweet and oily with hints of pears. On tasting it was strikingly rich, full bodied and sweet. The predominant flavours were of barley sugar and grapes.
The ruby colour was tinged with brown. The nose was sweet and oily with hints of pears. On tasting it was strikingly rich, full bodied and sweet. The predominant flavours were of barley sugar and grapes.
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