Taylor's Quinta de Vargellas Vintage 1988
It is over four years since I last tried a Vargellas of this vintage so it will be interesting see if there is much difference between the tastings.
This time the colour was almost inky black with just a hint of ruby to lighten it. A touch of amber could be seen in the rim. The nose was rich and redolent with plummy fruit scents. It had a sweet and full flavour of sweet plums balanced against a spicey tannic pepperiness. There wasn't a lot of depth but the combination rich fruit and pepper made this a satisfying digestive after a rich meal.
Quinta do Crasto Vintage 1999
Well blow me down, I had intended writing this one up tomorrow having decanted said port this afternoon. However the missus has been hammering the decanter all evening and if I don't do it now it won't get done. Must be jolly good port judging from the way she is knocking it back. I must add that this is a very special bottle as it was given to us during a visit to the quinta a few years back. Muito obrigado Jorge.
There was a dark almost inky ruby colour that was coupled with a plummy slightly oily nose. This was not the most intense port that I have ever tasted but I reckon we cracked this bottle at just the right time. Rich plummy fruit flavours combined harmoniously with subtle oily aldehydes to give a satisfyingly rounded experience. It didn't have the depth of a classic vintage but showed what could be achieved from a selected wine of a not quite so auspicious harvest. It must be good as the missus has just put the last of it in her glass.
Vista Alegre Tawny Over 40 Years Old (Bottled 2012)
Clear brownish amber colour with a nose reminiscent of leather tack. The depth and complexity of this port were quite striking. The underlying butterscotch sweetness of sultanas presented a backdrop to complex dry flavours derived from the oak. Tasting this against a couple of excellent ten year olds demonstrated how the prolonged ageing contributed to the development of depth and complexity as this port was significantly superior in both qualities.
Quinta de Val da Figueira Tawny 10 Year Old (Bottled 2012)
Clear deep brownish amber colour with a rich and fruity nose. This port was full bodied being characterised by complex astringent wood flavours tempered by the sweetness of dried fruits. The depth was striking making it hard to believe that this was just a 10 year old. If you can track this down definitely buy a bottle as, in my opinion, this is the one to judge others by. It comes into its own as a superb digestive at the end of an excellent meal.
Dalva Tawny 10 Year Old (Bottled 2011)
Clear deep amber colour with a rich nose of dried fruits. On tasting the sweetness of dried fruits was balanced by the astringency of the contribution from the oak. This meant it was not as sweet as some ten year olds therefore allowing greater appreciation of the complex flavours derived from the barrel ageing.
Fonseca Vintage 1963
Clear ruby red with a slight amber tinge having a rich plummy and fruity nose. Two to three hours after decanting it had opened out into a harmonious experience of plummy richness in a full body with just the right amount of hinting at oily aldehydes. After fifty years the depth of its youth has been replaced with complete integration of the component flavours.
Vista Alegre White 20 Years Old (Bottled 2013)
The appearance of this port was not like any I had seen before being a bright copper coloured brown. This colour was lighter than a tawny port but significantly darker than your average wood aged white port. The nose was rich and almost tary yet it had a honey sweetness at the same time. There was substantial oaky body on tasting with the sweetness of the grapes almost overcome by the bitter astringency of the wood. This port had complexity and depth but was very different from a tawny of the same age having noticeable less fruit flavours coming through. This made for a fairly unique port wine experience as the contribution from the oak barrel was very much to the fore but pleasantly matched with a gentle sweet component from the grapes.
