For The Love Of Port

Tasted on 3/14/2010 at Roy's.

2003 Martinez Vintage Port

Color: Very dark brick red.
Nose: Grapey, slightly dusty. Something like red Twizzler candy, but deeper in tone. A faint impression of dark chocolate.
Palate: Very nice balance - it has a little bit of everything. It gets 9's all around, though, not 10's. But the consistency is rewarding.
Finish: Great length and balance. Grape skin at the very tail end.

A bit perplexing, because while it doesn't really leave you wanting in any way it also doesn't wow you. I suppose it could be described as the "safe" option - everything about it is outstanding, but the whole is not greater than the sum of the parts as you would expect in a truly epic Port. This reads like a bad review but it really isn't. This is an outstanding Port... it just feels like it's missing that little je ne sais quoi that could have made it epic. 92+ points.

This is still going strong tonight (5 days after being opened) - I poured myself a glass after a dinner of beef tenderloin tips au poivre and it is wonderful. Smooth and rich with plenty of tannins, but the tannins are very fine so they don't overwhelm you. The finish has taken on a very slight edge, but that's easily avoided by sipping constantly.

I loved this Port when we had it at Cockburn's before it was released. I didn't know that any was imported to the US. IIRC, there was no US importer for the brand at that time.

David,

That's because it is now a brand that was taken over by the Symington's and it will soon start to be imported into the USA by PPW. This bottles was "not purchased."