1994 Quinta de la Rosa Vintage Port

[John Sel]

On decanting: medium dark red colour. Darkness at the core with a band of paleness at the rim which shows red/purple (no hint of brown). Initial aromatics are relatively subdued showing gentle dark fruit with some underlying spice. With air and warmth, a musky undertone emerges overlaid with distinct eucalyptus. On the palate, the impression is of a comparatively light, but pure and flavoury, wine with marked acidity. At 24 hours (stoppered decanter @ 16C), the wine appears to have taken on weight and is now more full and rich. Good tangy finish with gentle supporting tannin. Altogether a very stylish middleweight, the key to this wine for me is the great fruit/acid balance. At 48 hours, the wine continues to drink well, the palate continuing to broaden out, perhaps losing a bit of definition in the process. The second of two bottles of a case withdrawn last month from Octavian's deep, damp cellars at Corsham. Both bottles have shown the same. A lovely wine for drinking now with a good decant, but no need to rush. A fine wine. 92+ points.