1997 Quinta de la Rosa Colheita Port
Posted: Sun Jun 27, 2010 9:21 pm
Bottled in 2008 and purchased at the Quinta in the fall of 2008 during our 2nd trip to Portugal. Opened yesterday to celebrate completing the Seattle Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon... a 13-year old Colheita for a 13-mile run! We didn't finish enough of it, though, so I'll be bringing it with me to Los Angeles just in case Andy doesn't have enough Port on hand. 
1997 Quinta de la Rosa Colheita
Color: Something in between tawny and red, which I suppose is about what you'd expect for a Colheita that was only in wood for 11 years. It's not particularly dense, which sort of makes it look like a blend of black cherry and regular cherry Kool-Aid. Something in between ruby and garnet and a little bit darker would also fit. Very clear which makes it sparkle nicely in the light.
Nose: Soft strawberries/red raspberries, some processed sugar/cotton candy, and a very small amount of oak. I have a perfectly apt description but I refuse to write it down due to negative connotations. The overall impression is rich despite my lack of more complex notes.
Palate: Very smooth and pleasant, especially for such a young Colheita (at least to me). The soft red raspberries carry over into the mouth. The strawberries are replaced by a tart Bing/Rainier cherry (which is normally sweet and light). The cotton candy takes on a deeper and richer tone than it has on the nose. A very light oak/vanilla/maple sensation creeps in as you swallow.
Finish: Not particularly noteworthy; neither good nor bad. Medium length. The flavors are nice but not long enough to truly be enjoyed.
Score: 91 points. A very impressive showing for me, as I generally don't find young Colheitas all that attractive. I usually prefer them at least 30 years old. I hope they haven't bottled all of it because I'd really like to see what it is like in another 10 years.
1997 Quinta de la Rosa Colheita
Color: Something in between tawny and red, which I suppose is about what you'd expect for a Colheita that was only in wood for 11 years. It's not particularly dense, which sort of makes it look like a blend of black cherry and regular cherry Kool-Aid. Something in between ruby and garnet and a little bit darker would also fit. Very clear which makes it sparkle nicely in the light.
Nose: Soft strawberries/red raspberries, some processed sugar/cotton candy, and a very small amount of oak. I have a perfectly apt description but I refuse to write it down due to negative connotations. The overall impression is rich despite my lack of more complex notes.
Palate: Very smooth and pleasant, especially for such a young Colheita (at least to me). The soft red raspberries carry over into the mouth. The strawberries are replaced by a tart Bing/Rainier cherry (which is normally sweet and light). The cotton candy takes on a deeper and richer tone than it has on the nose. A very light oak/vanilla/maple sensation creeps in as you swallow.
Finish: Not particularly noteworthy; neither good nor bad. Medium length. The flavors are nice but not long enough to truly be enjoyed.
Score: 91 points. A very impressive showing for me, as I generally don't find young Colheitas all that attractive. I usually prefer them at least 30 years old. I hope they haven't bottled all of it because I'd really like to see what it is like in another 10 years.
