Fonseca Crusted (Bottled 2001)
When the cork was removed it was very dry suggesting that the bottle had been stored upright for a long time. This was an ominous sign.
The wine had a dark ruby colour and a rich fruity nose. There was a good sweet body but overall it was somewhat on the harsh side. A hint of softness was all but overwhelmed by the tannic bitterness.
Osborne Tawny 10 Year Old
Clear red colour with a hint of brown and old fruits on the nose. This had a lovely sweet taste from the fruits with a good woody bite.
Ramos Pinto Vinho Quinado
I had wanted to try this having seen the empty bottles on display at the Ramos Pinto caves in Vila Nova de Gaia so I was pleased to see a bottle on sale. Judging by the deposit it had thrown it had been in the shop for quite a while so probably it wasn't in the condition that Ramos Pinto intended.
It's appearance was a deep but slightly cloudy red. There wasn't a lot on the nose. Drinking it reminded me of other medicated fortified wines like dubonnet and red martini. It was drinkable but not distinctly port like to my taste and there was a whole litre of the stuff to get through.
Taylor's Quinta de Vargellas Vintage 1984
There was a rich ruby colour with just a hint of oxidation. The nose was rich with plummy fruit scents. This port was impressive delivering a huge and rich fruity mouthful. After 26 years in the bottle it combined a soft edge with fresh berry flavours and had no harshness at all.
When you chance across a bottle like this it quite restores your faith in what vintage can deliver. It was right at its peak and therefore thoroughly enjoyable.
Dow's Tawny 10 Year Old
The clear reddish brown colour was matched with old dried fruit and wood on the nose. The overall impression was of a competent mixture combining sweetness from the fruit with oak contributions. There was a bit of a harsh bite and not much depth.
Quinta do Noval Fine Ruby
Deep crimson red colour with just a slight nose. This gave a rich fruity mouthful of plummy fruits with just a little rough edge to it.
Fonseca Guimaraens Vintage 1986
There was some oxidation apparent in the clear red colour. The nose was quite light. At first the flavour was locked up and musty. However after breathing for two to three hours it developed into a rich sweet warming and mellow port, which was nicely balanced if not strikingly distinct.
