For The Love Of Port

It's terribly cold in Finland at the moment: just the time of year when one needs the warmth of a port. This month will be busy, with one major port tasting, two 2003 VPs lined up and a 20 YO Tawny and maybe even a Q. do Cavadinha 1995. Expect a deluge of TNs! :twisted:

Decanted 4 hours:

The nose is slowly starting to lose the spirity edge, but it hasn't integrated yet. There is lots of ripe red berries, strawberries and raspberries. But the nose isn't totally red toned. There are darker overtones of liquorice and even a bit of earthiness. Take the spirit out, and it is an extremely pleasant scent - albeit a bit simple and primary.

The palate is still massively spirity. It is very sweet with the tannins well integrated into all else, but there are quite a bit of them. Once the harshness of the spirit subsides, I guess this will turn into a fine, opulent port. It does seem a bit simple, but the components are very pleasurable.

I'll still revisit once more later tonight. There's half decanted away until tomorrow, when the spirit should be settled.

-O-

Otto Nieminen wrote: This month will be busy, with one major port tasting, two 2003 VPs lined up and a 20 YO Tawny and maybe even a Q. do Cavadinha 1995. Expect a deluge of TNs! :twisted:

-O-

The more the merrier. BTW, I don't know anything about Q.d. Pego. Do you what part of the Douro it is near, or anymore info about...just curious.

Thanks

Andy V. wrote: BTW, I don't know anything about Q.d. Pego. Do you what part of the Douro it is near, or anymore info about...just curious.

I unfortunately have only the information that our Monopoly Alko gives us. The estate is situated close to Pinhão. The estate has made wine since 1548, but the first VP was 2000. The wine maker is Manuel Henrique of Porto Rozès guided by the South African Wouter Pienaarin. I'm sorry, but that's all the info I have.

Otto, thanks

Now when it has had a day of air, it is really showing well. The spirit has gone from both scent and taste. The nose is very plummy and less savoury than yesterday. The palate is very sweet, well balanced, moderate acidity and soft tannins (but there seem to be plenty of them, but they are well hidden by the fruit). Moderately long aftertaste. I like this.

I know the 2000 has received a bit of good press, but I haven't seen anyone else comment on the 2003. This is a fair port!

Pego is a Quinta owned by Calem. I've tasted the 2000 and I was really impressed by the quality. Calem is really improving the quality of its vintage in the recent years.