Multi: 2005 Vintage Port (assorted) and other notes

Ronald Wortel · Post by **Ronald Wortel** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 5:34 pm

All these ports were tasted at ProWein, and I only made short notes.

The quality of the 2005 ports was impressive. It looks like it will be at least a partly declared vintage, and I know I will be looking out for them.

Niepoort 2005 VP (Cask Sample)
Very good, jummy flavours and a very good balance. But somehow a bit less impressive than the 03.

Quinta do Vale D. Maria 2005 VP (Cask Sample)
Impressive. Very fresh, with mint and eucalyptus tones, and a stunning concentration. Lots of dark flavours. Fierce tannins, that are hardly noticable because of the density of the fruit. Best VP I've tasted from this producer.

Quinta de Passadouro 2005 VP (Cask Sample)
Elegant and lovely. Not a blockbuster, but very refined. I like it a lot.

Pintas 2005 VP (Cask Sample)
Great. Pintas is always very powerful, but this is the first time that the power is accompanied by extremely elegant flavoured. Dense and full, but very well balanced.

Pintas 2004 VP
Incredible fierce tannin structure, that is overpowering the fruit at this point. It's all there, but it needs time to get together. Very good though.

Ramos Pinto 2003 VP
Fairly light and supple. Nice, but nothing special.

Quinta do Crasto 2000 VP
I've tasted this port quite a number of times, and it is always very consistent in the 87-89 point range. This time is no exception: elegant and drinking very nice.

Croft Quinta da Roeda 1995 VP
Hmm, this seems to be ageing rather quickly. Tasted a couple of years ago and liked it very much then, but this bottle was already a bit old.

Al B. · Post by **Al B.** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 1:29 am

Ronnie

Thanks for posting the first thoughts I've seen on the 2005 wines. Interesting to see your thoughts.

Alex

Post by **Andy Velebil** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 8:01 pm

Ronnie,

Thanks for the TN's.

Quinta do Vale D. Maria 2005 VP (Cask Sample)
Impressive. Very fresh, with mint and eucalyptus tones,

interesting that you mention this, seems to be a reoccurring theme in their Port....terroir

And the rest of your TN on this is spot on, except I would say the '03 is a bit better. But that is just my