Waitrose No1 Tawny Reserve

 Waitrose No1 Tawny Reserve

 Here we have a tawny port put together by the Symingtons for Waitrose.

The colour was a deep brown amber with a hint of red. There was just a little nuttiness in the nose. In the mouth it was well rounded with a good body and a smooth feel. The predominant flavour was a fair amount of dry oak mellowed by a sweet fruitiness. I hesitate to refer to prunes but that was the word that sprung to mind. But yes, the fruitiness really was of a dried plum nature but in a more subtle way than you get from eating tinned prunes. All together a very approachable example of a reserve tawny port that you don't have to take out a loan for to buy.

Quinta do Crasto Vintage 2004

Quinta do Crasto Vintage 2004

Here we are with another Crasto Vintage from Sainsbury's that has been in our cellar for a good many years.

 

There was a dark ruby colour with a significant amount of oxidation. The nose was a mixture of plummy fruits and strong alcohol. The taste was rich and fruity with a long finish. A little spiciness remained from the tannins but in a beneficial way giving structure to the overall flavour.