1998 Quinta do Passadouro Vintage Port

[Marc J.]

I've tasted this wine a number of times over the years and I was struck by how might lighter this wine appeared. The nose initially gave away very little - maybe some light violet notes intermixed with alcohol? The first glass after decanting seemed to be full of dark fruits along with some tobacco undertones. The finish was dominated by spirit and was a bit on the hot side. Over the course of the next four hours the alcohol blew off, but the tobacco notes remained along with a bit of tar. After 24 hours the spirit calmed down a bit, the dark fruit remained and was joined by some brown sugar notes. At this point this wine had evolved into a nice, albeit somewhat one dimensional, VP. 86 points.

[Andy Velebil]

Was this one of the Niepoort bottled ones?

[Marc J.]

Yes it was. The last bottle that I had (a couple of years ago) was much darker in color and much more fruit driven. I really didn't expect it to mature SO quickly.....

Marc

[Andy Velebil]

Yes it was. The last bottle that I had (a couple of years ago) was much darker in color and much more fruit driven. I really didn't expect it to mature SO quickly.....

That's not something good to hear. I hope your other bottles show better.

BTW, I sent you an email Sunday did you get it?

[Marc J.]

I was expecting quite a bit more from this wine, but after 24+ hours it did develop into a pleasant if unspectacular Port. BTW, I didn't receive your Sunday email.

Marc

[Roy Hersh]

I've had the 1997 but not the 1998, so I was very interested in how this particular bottle would turn out for you Marc. Thanks for providing us the insight. Do you have another to try at some point?

[Marc J.]

This was my last bottle out of five that I had purchased a few years back. At the right price I might try it again in a few years, but I don't think that this is a wine that I would seek out.

Marc