For The Love Of Port

I hadn't seen a tasting note posted on a colheita or old tawny yet so I thought that I would start it off, and why not with a bang. Here is what an attached label had to say about this old port:

''A Port chosen from extremely rare Colheitas produced before the turn of the century. This Port, from the late 1800's, was part of the stock of ANTONIO DA ROCHA LEAO,SUCRS. Manuel Barros purchased Rocha's old Port House. Porto Rocha is celebrating 150 years in 2000 since founding in 1850. The limited selection of only 240 bottles was prepared from the best of these well cared for extremely old and rare Reserve Colheitas in the style of the Belle Epoque.”

My notes, a bit delayed in the transcribing as I had this port at a July 4 dinner party and didn't jot them down until the next day:

This port was deep brown in color with a medium brown amber rim with a beautiful gradient of orange in between and great clarity. Wonderfully fragrant with root beer extract, old wood and molasses fragrances. A dream to inhale. Moderate acidity and fairly sweet for a port this old, full bodied with wonderful nut, fruitcake, molasses, fig and old wood flavors, with a finish that lasts for minutes. A great wine, one of the best I have had. There was a slight metallic, alcohol flavor on the finish on the first sip, but it was not noticeable with continued drinking. However, if one cleansed the palate after the lengthy finish, one could taste the off flavors again. Outstanding. This is truly a great wine with a wonderful smoothness and a complexity only great age can enhance. 96 Points

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Kevin B. Kelly
A Port Enthusiast

Kevin,

Thanks for the great TN and a very interesting wine!

I have only heard of this bottling from a few ppl in the past. I live right near the importer of Rocha and he also brings in Kopke for most of the USA (but not all). Surprisingly, we don't taste together often at all (sadly) but I have had my share of very fine old Colheitas from both of the producers he imports.

I DO look forward to meet you at some point. Is your area closer to Houston, Dallas or San Antonio? Those are about the only 3 real landmarks I can envision on the TX map and have been to the first two cities. Do you ever get up this way Kevin?

Roy,

I am on the outskirts of Houston, TX, drop me a note if you ever head this way. I don't get up to your area often, but I intend to more frequently now as I vacationed in Seattle last year and enjoyed myself tremendously. I have a lot of family down in Vancouver, WA and Portland so I plan to head north whenever I next visit.

I am wondering, if you talk to your distributor friend or if you know a retailer who will ship Kopke, I would love to get a hold of a 1965 Kopke Colheita. I saw your review for one once and as it is my birth year I would love to try it (although I may wait 'til next year to buy one when the prestige margin goes down, I am still kicking myself for not getting any '55 Graham's while the prices were more reasonable last year. Stock up on your '66's NOW folks!)

I have enjoyed a number of Kopke Colheitas as well as Rocha's. But the Rocha Extra Old Millennium has surpassed them all. The Rocha 150th Anniversary Port was a great value, and I look forward to trying their Three Centuries Port as well, although I don't know if it will quite live up to the other two, then again, I am splitting hairs here.

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Kevin B. Kelly
A Port Enthusiast

Found your comments very interesting! I recently thoroughly enjoyed a bottle of Rocha's Tawny Port, bottled and shipped by Antonio Da Rocha Leao, Sucrs. The bottle had no date or age on it - only the stamped seal from the Instituto Du Vinho Do Porto. I am wondering if any of you would know how I could get more info. on the age of this bottle? Cheers, AL

Kevin,

I have wine searcher pro and the 1965 Rocha turned up for $200 at the merchant below, Primovino. I don't know them at all, so not sure on their reputation. I also share your appreciation for Rocha's old Tawnies and thoroughly enjoyed their 150 Anniversary tawny by he glass at a wine bar sorta down your way in Fredericksburg TX. Among about 12 Ports by the glass, it was my Poer of the night and I snagged their last bottle for around $150-$160.

Scott
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Country: USA (Colorado)
Notes: Arvada. Wine merchant.
Web Address: http://www.primovino.net
Internet: Secure Online Ordering
Update Frequency: Our copy of their list is dated 11-Nov-2007.
Price list on their Web site is updated daily (or more often).
Services: Retail
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General Terms: No minimum order.
Delivery charges apply.
Address: 5713 Olde Wadsworth Blvd, Arvada, CO 80002
Contact: Tel: 303 273-9463
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PrimoVino CO: Arvada. No minimum order. Delivery charges apply. Rocha, Porto Colheita, Portugul 1965 (750 ml), 1965 $200.00
Bottle
11-Nov-2007

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