Decant: 3 hours - Decanted cleanly from a modest amount of sediment. Well coloured red, deep in tone but with a transparent centre and just a hint of bricking on the rim. Nosing of sweet dusty strawberries; nicely balanced entry with sweetness and acidity at first well matched, but the acidity grows and dominates. Good levels of sweet strawberry fruit and a vibrant pepperriness - almost curry-like - in the mid-palate. Very pleasant development and surprising complexity. Perhaps a little light bodied. Slightly harsh on the initial aftertaste, but leaves a dry and very pleasant length with the tannins giving plenty of dry cocoa flavour to go with the slightly jammy strawberries. A very pleasant wine. 86/100.
A couple more hours in the glass allowed some cedar wood and tobacco flavours to come through the wine, and a flavour which was captured well as "cola cubes". An extra point was generated for the improvement. 87 points
TN: 1963 Rebello Valente Vintage Port
Moderators: Glenn E., Andy Velebil