Easy to decant, dark but easy-to-see-through glass and modest sediment. An overwhelming nose of blueberries when first opened but that has now been replaced by modest blueberry juice, spiced up with some menthol and mint. Blueberry ice cream in the mouth, then lots of tannins and too much acidity. The midpalate shows more vanilla and some bannana before all is swamped by blackcurrants. There is a quick burn on swallowing before a long and leisurely chocolate aftertaste that just sits and relaxes on your tongue. This wine is well below the average of my VP drinking in its present, awkward form, it is just too acidic and spiky, but is something that I think will be much better in 10-20 years - perhaps akin to the 1987s. 2-4 on Tom's scale or 85/100 (for current drinking).
Alex
1996 Taylor's Quinta de Vargellas Vintage Port
Moderators: Glenn E., Andy Velebil
-
Todd Pettinger
- Posts: 2022
- Joined: Fri Mar 09, 2007 7:59 am
- Location: Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada
Alex, I was sort of surprised to see your name beside the title of the post, given its 11 years of age. 
I just ourchased my first Vargellas the other day, a '91 and am looking forward to opening it up, but I know I should likely not do that for another 10 years at least. At $110Cdn, I could only afford the one bottle, and I'm not even sure why I selected this one, as I was looking for something to drink closer to NOW... but this one jumped off the shelf and into my hands! 8)
I look forward to seeing how this progresses with much more decanter time. What are your predictions? 2 days before it is more drinkable?
Todd
I just ourchased my first Vargellas the other day, a '91 and am looking forward to opening it up, but I know I should likely not do that for another 10 years at least. At $110Cdn, I could only afford the one bottle, and I'm not even sure why I selected this one, as I was looking for something to drink closer to NOW... but this one jumped off the shelf and into my hands! 8)
I look forward to seeing how this progresses with much more decanter time. What are your predictions? 2 days before it is more drinkable?
Todd
Todd
I do enjoy the occasional bottle of young VP, but this is not one I'm enjoying. Even 2 days in the decanter has not really softened it up - its still to acidic and very tannic. This is not a wine that I will buy to drink now and is not a wine that I will buy to cellar - but only because I do not have the space to keep it somewhere for another 10 years.
Alex
I do enjoy the occasional bottle of young VP, but this is not one I'm enjoying. Even 2 days in the decanter has not really softened it up - its still to acidic and very tannic. This is not a wine that I will buy to drink now and is not a wine that I will buy to cellar - but only because I do not have the space to keep it somewhere for another 10 years.
Alex
-
Todd Pettinger
- Posts: 2022
- Joined: Fri Mar 09, 2007 7:59 am
- Location: Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada
I didn't realize it was already two days in the decanter, wow. If it is still that hard an tannic/acidic that really says something.
Seeing as how I am starting my exploration of the wonderful world of true VP, I will likely let my Vargellas 91 sit in the basement another 10 years at the minimum. I may, however try one of the Fonseca Guimaraens (2001) that I got a bunch of the other day, just to try my first "big house" younger VP (in the absence of readily available, affordable bottles that are 30+ yrs from the "big houses.")
If I open one of the Fonsecas, I would expect nothing less than a monster with plenty of harsh tannns, even though the Guimaraens are supposed to be a bit more approachable at the younger age. 6 years is still very young!
Todd
Seeing as how I am starting my exploration of the wonderful world of true VP, I will likely let my Vargellas 91 sit in the basement another 10 years at the minimum. I may, however try one of the Fonseca Guimaraens (2001) that I got a bunch of the other day, just to try my first "big house" younger VP (in the absence of readily available, affordable bottles that are 30+ yrs from the "big houses.")
If I open one of the Fonsecas, I would expect nothing less than a monster with plenty of harsh tannns, even though the Guimaraens are supposed to be a bit more approachable at the younger age. 6 years is still very young!
Todd