Quinta da Romaneira Vintage 2004

 Quinta da Romaneira Vintage 2004

Despite two years in a balseiro and 18 years in a bottle this port still had a deep rich ruby colour with hardly any oxidation at all. This was probably helped by the quality of the cork which showed little sign of deterioration. The nose was redolent with rich plummy scents which led to anticipation of what was to follow.

Tasting revealed a rich and fruity port with deep plummy flavours and without any harshness or disagreable characteristics at all. It was sweet and redolent with fresh red berry tastes despite the fact that the berries had been picked twenty years ago. I raise my glass to the roga who brought these grapes in from the field so that it could bring me so much pleasure after the passage of twenty years.

Armilar 10 Year Old

Armilar 10 Year Old

This ten year old was ridiculously cheap in a certain discount supermarket. The colour was a deep amber with a hint of redness. The nose was light but contained a good mix of sweet spices and oak. Tasting revealed a full bodied richness with a good balance of sweet dried fruit flavours and astringent oak. This wasn't the most complex 10 year old port that I've tasted but it didn't disappoint. How they can sell it at such a bargain price I cannot imagine.

Fletcher's Ruby Reserve

Fletcher's Ruby Reserve

Deep ruby colour with a lightly fruity nose. This port had a soft and fruity character. It had a good balance of fruit flavours and tannins within a gentle rather than rich body.