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.

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.