For The Love Of Port

I cannot think of a better way to say goodbye to 2020, so we opened this on New Year's Eve. The cork appeared to be a leaker at some point, the IDVP seal was stained and the cork had dried out, had some trouble with crumbling. There was a large amount of sediment upon decanting. I was a little worri...

Niepoort 2011 LBV last week from 375ml, it's ready to drink and throwing sediment already.

Roy, I'm curious as to how the 91 Croft is showing at this point?

I had 1992 Fonseca from 375 ml over the holidays with my son who was born in 1992. It was complex and sublime, and got better with airtime.

from 375ml Decided to take a peek at this vintage from half bottle (since I own various halves from 2000). 1st night: dark color, with baked plums and some gritty, firm tannins. 3rd night: dark garnet to the rim, hints of cigar leaf, baked plums, and baking spices on the nose, very balanced on the p...

Hi Monique,
I have been saving one of these in hopes it would come around. Sounds like it did. I had the '95 Fonseca Guimaraens about a year ago, and it was good, but had upside (got better over several days).

Here are notes in my rank order for the 1985 Vintage Ports (#1 favorite, #7 least favorite). Note that the Ferreira and Graham's were not tasted at this event. 1. Dow's - medium color; on the nose, some sweet cherry, horehound drop, hint of mint, slight wet wool, then later some chestnut; very compl...

Really great night at the 1985 Horizontal. Kudos to John for organizing and hosting the tasting.

I will post notes soon. My top 3 were Dow, Fonseca, Kopke in that order. The Dow was very chameleon-like and had nice glass evolution all night long. Very complex and giving.

John,
That sounds good to me. It makes sense to have folks double decant their port back into the bottle (at home or their hotel). These ports being 30 years old, they will get enough airtime in the glass at the tables.

Rgds,
Kurt

Saw a 1/2 bottle of Warre's 2011 VP and snagged it.

I was about 30 years old in Mesa, AZ, my wife and I were poured a glass of Vintage Port at the end of a wine tasting. We did not like sweet wines, but tried it anyway and that started things off.

In the decanter this has an alluring nose of ripe plums, black licorice, and sassafras. As the evening rolls around, a glass is poured. The nose has some dark chocolate and briar now, and on the palate there is dark cherries and plum skin followed by firm, gripping tannins. The long finish is most i...

1995 Fonseca Guimaraens is now standing. Your humble servant will be reporting out.

Oldest port is now 1966 Graham's (a "long distance runner" according to Broadbent !).

I have always been in the camp of it being due to bacterial spoilage, and am sticking with that. Definitely a gaseous emission of some sort whether due to bacteria or fermentation.

Very raisiny character pervades this port, from nose to finish. A distraction in that sense (think of SunMaid and you will get the picture). Otherwise this has some good qualities such as suppleness, baked plums, a nice streak of acidity, and a full finish. 86 pts.

1 x 2003 Warre's VP
2 x 2011 Dow's VP (375 ml)

Opened another one of these last night with some friends who are just starting to get into port. Very complex and long. An impressive SQVP that is IMO one of the better '95's. I will again give it 93 pts.

Decanted through cheesecloth at noon, a little sludgy sediment at bottom. Double decanted back into the bottle at six. 1st night - Nose has hints of black plums, licorice, and toffee. Upon swirling, a very viscous texture is noted along with deep reddish purple hue. On the palate, this is concentrat...

Fairly reticent on 1st night with medicinal aromas and flavors. Drinking well on 2nd night with cherry core, briar, and fine tannins. A few days later this has nice damson plum and cigar box overtones with good balance and integration.

1 x 2005 Quinta do Portal LBV