For The Love Of Port

The last of several leftovers from Roy, and a revisit of my first bottle of Crusted Port. Crusted used to be called Vintage Character, and is a blend of different years of what might have otherwise been Vintage Port or LBV. The date on the label is the year of bottling.

2002 Dow's Crusted Port

Color: Very dark garnet with some purple hues. Opaque through most of the glass.

Nose: A bit smokey and a bit of fruit compote (without the sugary overtone). Something like the inside of a wooden box... not quite cedar, not quite any other aromatic wood, but close. Also a little bit of alcohol.

Palate: Good tannins and acidity. A faint note of coffee and a mild impression of chocolate. Medium body. Fruits have a hint of tartness to them, but are mostly sweet, purple, and black. There's something odd to the flavor, too, that I can't quite identify. It seems a bit hollow. This doesn't strike me as a Dow - it's far too dark and black and sweet.

Finish: there's a bit of nothingness that is quickly filled by dark fruits. Good length, decent heat. Just enough tannins to make you smack your lips. The finish tails off nicely.

Score: 90 points. A pleasant drinker, but nothing spectacular. This seems like a nice Port to have with food, and I would equate the quality level with a good LBV.

2002 Dow's Crusted (or, rather, the BBR b.o.b version of it) was my first "regular" drinker alongside Noval 03 LBV - I was a big fan and a couple of years ago i thought offered a level of quality that only a few of the generally available "supermarket" LBVs reached. I wish i'd brought a larger stock for posterity/sentimental reasons!

However - i question this:

Glenn E. wrote:Crusted used to be called Vintage Character

I thought Vintage Character was replaced by the Reserve category?

Rob C. wrote:I thought Vintage Character was replaced by the Reserve category?

Oh, did I get that backwards? You're probably right. I've had so few of either that I probably mixed it up.

What did Crusted used to be called? Or has it always been called that?

Rob is correct re: RESERVE level = Vintage Character of the past.

I also enjoyed the 2002 Dow's and my TN is in the upcoming newsletter. On Sunday, the place where I bought the Dow's 2002, was now selling the 2003 bottling.

I have had this several times. But my scores are all over the board. Never could figure out why wish I had more to figure it out. It's the 1 port I could never get a handle on. Has anyone else had this issue with a port where your scores were all over the place?

John M. wrote:I have had this several times. But my scores are all over the board. Never could figure out why wish I had more to figure it out. It's the 1 port I could never get a handle on. Has anyone else had this issue with a port where your scores were all over the place?

Tends to happen for me more with mid to lower level older Ports where storage or bottle varation is causing very different experiences. Typically not so much in young Ports though. The exception being when they enter that dump phase around 6-7 years in. And especially the case just as it starts entering that phase as one bottle can show well and the next I'm left scratching my head wondering "What happened"

I've noticed that phenomenon in "mixed" tastings where there are various levels of Port being tasted at the same time. When tasted independently, I think I rate reserves and LBVs higher than when they're in the presence of VP.