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.

M&S Royal Palace Reserve Tawny

M&S Royal Palace Reserve Tawny

Deep reddish amber colour with a rich fruit cake nose. This port was very sweet to the point that it had a mildly medicinal flavour. Dry burnt oak elements were modified by the sweet flavours of dried fruits.

Vista Alegre LBV 2013 (Bottled 2017)

Vista Alegre LBV 2013 (Bottled 2017)

The colour was an impressively dark inky ruby which was accompanied by an intense nose combining both plummy fruit scents and a hint of oak. Tasting revealed a satisfying richness backed by fat fruity flavours. Tannins were quite noticeable so this unfiltered offering may benefit from a further three or four years in the bottle if you prefer something softer.

Quevedo Dry White

Quevedo Dry White

A rich golden colour bordering on amber was accompanied by a not unpleasant scent of fresh mixed fruit and vegetables such as you might encounter on entering a greengrocer's shop. A light spiciness was encountered on tasting with just a hint of fruit carried through on the subtle sweetness. This was a bit like Goldilocks' porridge: not too sweet and not too dry making it just right. However if you are looking for something really dry this might disappoint.

Vista Alegre Vintage 2007

Vista Alegre Vintage 2007

With a deep and intense ruby colour and a rich plummy nose the omens were good. Typical of the Vista Alegre style this was a smooth fruity and rich port. Whilst not as bold as some of the more famous brands it was still very enjoyable and perhaps somewhat more approachable. At this age there were still some tannins coming through so in three or four years time this should prove to be an elegant contribution to any dinner party.

Quinta de la Rosa Val do Inferno Vintage 1999

Quinta de la Rosa Val do Inferno Vintage 1999

We learned earlier this year that Tim Bergqvist passed away recently so we will enjoy this rare bottle in his honour as he would have played a big part in its production. We last had a bottle of this port four years ago when it was in great condition. Now we have reached the twenty year mark it is time to see how our last bottle has done.

The port was clear having a very deep ruby colour and an amber tinge. The nose was quite light while hinting at a rich fruitiness. On tasting the first impression was of a rich sweet plum flavours backed with a subtle spiciness. The body was adequate but not as striking as some vintages; this is not surprising for a vintage made from grapes from such a compact location. It was beginning to taste old and did not have the freshness that was experienced a four years ago. If you are lucky enough to have a bottle you should probably enjoy it soon.

When I came to rinse the bottle out there was a considerable deposit. The colour and texture of it in the sink took me back to a time when we were treading in the lagar at La Rosa. Tim and his caseiro were taking samples from the adjacent lagar and plotting the results on a graph. Just as we were finishing about 11 pm they decided that it was time to add the aguadente to the port and to run it off for ageing. It was quite an experience to be able to watch the spirit being added to the must as it was run off. Then spirit was sprayed over the residue in the lagar filling the air with the strong alcoholic fumes. At the end of the process at around midnight a couple of guys had the hard job of emptying the gubbins from the lagar so that it would be ready for the next batch of grapes.

Dow's Vintage 1977

Dow's Vintage 1977

Clear red colour with a brownish tinge showing considerable oxidation. Warm rich nose with a hint of plum. A rich and sweet mouthful of plummy fruits was matched with a long spicy finish. This was a superb bottle of vintage port at its peak.