TN: 2000 Quinta da Eira Velha Vintage Port

[Al B.]

Decant: 13 hours - Bottled by the Symingtons for Sainsbury's Taste The Difference range. Decanted through coffee filter paper, leaving only fine and sludge-like sediment. Deep red in colour, opaque and still intense magenta on the rim. Sharp blackcurrants on the nose; harsh, but with a promising floral perfume tone to the bouquet. In the mouth, this is soft and smooth; fruit is subdued and the mix is overly acidic with the harshness on the nose carrying through to the palate. Tannins are soft and well integrated. Overall, the palate is unbalanced and unattractive. Harsh burn from the acidity on the immediate aftertaste with the finish being of gentle chocolate and dried cranberry - long and pleasant and the best aspect of this wine. This is probably a classic example of a port which is shut down - angular, harsh, unbalanced and acidic but surely not a port which any winemaker would allow to be released if this was all it had to offer. Have confidence, lock them away somewhere dark and leave them for at least 5 years. 83 points