For The Love Of Port

I usually like my ports and table wines savoury. I like them with age on them and with plentiful acids and earthiness. I also love a slightly oxidative character to my wines. This may be why I love Tawnies (and Musar! :) ), but don't usually drink 10 YO examples: 20 YO when it isn't yet too woody seems a favourite with me.

But Ramos Pinto's Ervamoira Tawny 10 YO is one that I love. The nose is slightly oxidative and with a touch of rancio yet it is so vibrantly fruity. Rather than saying that the fruit nor the oxidative elements are to the fore, I would rather say that the fruit shows an utterly lovable nutty quality to it. In other words, it shows a complexity that belies its age.

The palate is very sweet, but it isn't simplistic like 10 YO Tawnies so often are. Rather it is a complex and nuanced wine. Unfortunately there is one component that distracts from my otherwise great enjoyment: the 19,5% alcohol is too evident as heat on the aftertaste. As I have often said half-seriously: 18% would be more balanced! Is there any chance that the alcohol of a Tawny would integrate better with air? I guess not. But that is a slight qualm for an otherwise so lovely Tawny!

-Otto-

Otto,

I've had it several times and I agree, the RP 10 yr tawny is a very nice bottle.

Otto,

This port was the subject of the first ever FTLOP Virtual Tasting - see this thread....

http://www.fortheloveofport.com/ftlopfo ... .php?t=921

Derek

I have had mixed reviews of the Ramos Pinto Tawny Ports. My belief is that when they are first opened there is VA and excessive alcohol showing. With a few days open these soften up considerably and are a lot more fun to try. I believe on our last trip we had bottles that may have been opened well in advance, which was fine by me.

Here was my TN from the last time I had the 10 year old:

Ramos Pinto 10 Year Old Tawny Port – Orangeish-cola color with a yellow edge. It has gentle toasted almond, mahogany and caramelized sugar scents that swirl in the glass. Great nose for a ten year old. Light-bodied and elegant with sweet nutty nuances and a citrus smooth finish that I liked a lot, except for a touch of heat. Great complexity for a 10-year and I will be seeking out this bottling for sure, when I get home. I am not easily won over by less than 20 year old wood aged Ports, but this drinks beautifully and much older than most ten year old Tawnies. 92+ points (10/2/06)

I believe on our last trip we had bottles that may have been opened well in advance, which was fine by me.

Roy,

Glad that was the case then....here is my scribble of a note from that bottle.

"A medium tawny with carmel on the nose. Palate has walnut, vanilla, and oak. Good finish but a bit simple - still a good 10 year. 91 points"

Thanks Otto, I thought it might be your style

ps. Hopefully you are able to attend for that Portugal-tasting. I definitely will not miss it.. :lick:


-Antti-

Thanks for the replies. I didn't notice any VA showing (but considering how much I love Musar and Madeira, maybe I'm just immune to it?), but otherwise the other notes sound perfectly familiar. I must get another bottle - lovely stuff. With 5 others helping me drink it, none is left to try today...

Antti, I'll try to get to the Portugal tasting, but as I'm having more major dental surgery on Wednesday, I don't know if I'll be sufficently recovered by then. I really hope I am.

-O-