1997 Quinta do Noval Silval Vintage Port

[Kurt Wieneke]

Dark garnet color. I've never seen a VP this cloudy before. I did notice there was a ton of very fine, suspended sediment when double decanting.

1st night: The decanter gives up aromas of plum, red licorice, cigar box, and sassafras. At +8 hrs, a glass proper. Overtly sweet upon entry but has some nice cherry and tobacco.

3rd night: Complex nose with hints of kirsch, briar, raspberry sauce, vanilla extract, and floral. The midpalate has really fleshed out and contributes to the classy, long, dark-toned finish.

4th night: Still plenty of fleshy cherry and the long dark finish comes back for a reprise.

5th night: Sweet and flabby with a distracting savory broth note on the nose.

6th night: Back into form now, with seamless integration and a tasteful finish.

The '97 Silval is a good port with plenty of power and concentration, but it really needs another 10 years in the cellar to reveal its full potential. 92 pts