Quinta do Tedo Colheita 2005 bottled in 2019

 Quinta do Tedo Colheita 2005 bottled in 2019

Here we are in the middle of a global pandemic of a respiratory virus disease. I would far rather being doing this tasting at the Quinta where we have done many tastings in the past. Well that just isn't  possible; we are so fortunate that Quinta do Tedo have an on-line shop from where they can send their outstanding ports across the world.

 There was a clear red colour with subtle hints of amber. The nose was quite light with the smell of alcohol at the front. However the nose was deceptive because tasting revealed a full bodied and unctuous mingling of flavours. Bitter oak was there tempered by the sweetness of citrus peal. The finish was long without being overly complex. This wine achieves a superb balance between the wood flavours derived from its ageing in oak and the orange peal sweetness coming from the sweet grapes that constituted its origin.

Taylors Vintage 2003

Taylors Vintage 2003

I bought a dozen of these when they first came out hoping they would come good around the 20 year mark. Well here we are after seventeen years so I guess it is time to find out how it is doing. The colour was a very inky dark ruby with a surprising amount of oxidation evidenced by the tawny tinge. The nose was mildly fruity with hints of a rich spiciness. Tasting revealed a soft fruitiness whilst the predominant future was the markedly rich spice element. Although there was some depth I was expecting a bit more from a Taylor's port. It will be interesting to see how this develops as the tannins mellow further.

Caves Santa Marta Vintage 2000

Caves Santa Marta Vintage 2000

We well remember buying this bottle. We were trying to get to Quinta do Valado but missed the turning and a good two hours later found ourselves at Caves Santa Marta. We had an interesting time there. It turned out they were in the process of rebranding so they were selling off there old stock at bargain prices. We came away with three bottles of vintage which poor muggins had to lug all the way back to our hotel.

I have never seen such a heavy deposit after decanting a bottle of port before. There was a ruby element to the colour but it was well on the way to developing tawny characteristics. The nose was vaguely fruity but was reminiscent of something much older than just twenty years. Tasting revealed a well integrated and harmonious combination of subtle plummy fruits with a rich spiciness. The body was acceptable if not exceptional. For the price paid this was a good vintage port but was probably nearing the end of its drinking life.

Quinta de Val Da Figueira Vintage 2000

Quinta de Val Da Figueira Vintage 2000

There was a moderately oxidised deep ruby colour with hints of amber at the rim. The nose was quite light with alcohol being the predominant feature. Tasting revealed a rich combination of subtle sweet plummy flavours against a strong and spicy background. Thus this proved to be quite a unique and thoroughly enjoyable port.

Cálem Vintage 2000

Cálem Vintage 2000

This was a souvenir of our first visit to the Douro region in 2004 when we brought home three bottles. Let's see if it was worth waiting sixteen years for. The colour was a dark and intense ruby colour; when you see a port like this you understand why they call red ports rubies. The nose was rich and spicey with a hint of fruitiness. On tasting the mouth was filled with rich and smooth fruity flavours backed by a tremendous body of mellowed tannins. The balance between the fruit and tannin was so enjoyable as the fruit flavours continued to come through long into the after taste. Having enjoyed some well crafted single quinta vintages recently it was good to have this reminder of what a classic vintage can offer with its fuller depth and longer finish.

Quinta de la Rosa Vintage 2000

Quinta de la Rosa Vintage 2000

The bright ruby colour was accompanied by a subtly fruity nose. Tasting revealed a vintage port at its peak. It was rich and full bodied with plummy fruit flavours. There was a perfect equilibrium between the sweetness of the sugars and the residual tanins. Put this all together and you have a great balance between the fruity, sweet and bitter elements. Although not as full bodied as some, every mouthful of this well crafted port was a pleasure to enjoy.

The cork was in excellent condition which probably contributed to the outstanding presentation from this bottle.

Dalva Colheita 1990 bottled in 2018

Dalva Colheita 1990 bottled  in 2018

Clear light amber colour with a warm and oaky nose. This port had great body combining strong citrus elements with a marked sweetness tempered by a bitter oakiness. There was a long and satisfing finish with woody orange flavours lingering in the mouth long after the liquid had left.

M&S Special Reserve

M&S Special Reserve

A dark ruby colour gave away the nature of this port. The colour was matched with a rich and fruity nose. The flavour was quite approachable having a rich sweetness tempered by hints of a soft fruitiness. The richness came from a combination of residual tannins and underlying oak flavours. All in all this was a good example of a ruby reserve.

Quinta do Crasto LBV 2010

Quinta do Crasto LBV 2010

Intense deep ruby colour with full ripe and fruity nose. On tasting this port proved to be superb. Rich plummy fruit flavours combined with a harmonious softness to give a satisfying experience in the mouth. With depth and elegance the experience was not short lived. Just a hint of tanin counteracted the sweetness perfectly.

Quinta do Tedo 1999

Quinta do Tedo 1999

Deep deep ruby colour but clear like a tawny. The nose was pleasantly soft and fruity. Tasting revealed a full bodied yet subtly fruity port. Barely detectable tannins showed that this had reached the perfect point for tasting. Subsequent mouthfuls built up the feeling of the unctuous yet sweet plummy softness of a port in its prime.