TN: 1996 Quinta do Vesuvio Vintage Port

[Al B.]

Decant: 24 hours - 65 pipes made as Vintage Port. Sourced from Berry Brothers in Dublin in 2006. Decanted easily off a lot of very fine - almost crystalline - sediment. A dark red in colour, with a mahogany brown rim. Plenty of raspberry fruit on the nose, mixed with lavender perfume. A little bland initially in the mouth; sweet, but balanced acidity; fruit, but very restrained; tannic, but they are mellowing. There is plenty of flavour, but nothing stands out from the blend. The aftertaste is very impressive and reveals what this port is likely to offer in a few more years - full of apples and raspberries, but with such a long and flavoursome finish that just goes on for ages. This will be an excellent every day port in 5 years, or so. 92 points