1997 Rozes Vintage Port

Richard Henderson · Post by **Richard Henderson** » Thu Jan 19, 2006 7:46 pm

I received this bottle as a birthday present on Dec 29 last month. I was not familiar with this house. (Help Roy!)
It is a very nice rich deep mint scented fruity port. Reminiscient ( Sp?) of a Dow. Very rich. Decanted 8 hours. Very smooth. Who are these guys?

Post by **Andy Velebil** » Thu Jan 19, 2006 9:52 pm

I had a little time this evening so I did a little diggin', with a lot of help from Mayson's book "Port and the Douro", here is their story:

Rozes was founded in 1855 by Bordeaux wine merchant Ostende Rozes. The company ceased during WWII as Guy and Yves Rozes went back to France to be in the resistance. They resumed in 1956 with Guy and Yves return. Being first sold in 1974, and several times after that, Vranken Pommery Monople bought it in 1999.

Since 1999 Rozes has aquired 200 Hectares in the Tavora Valley and Douro Superior. Their ports have gotten much better since 2000 vintage, according to Mayson. Prior to 1997 their ports tended to be simple and early maturing. Most of thier production is a straight forward tawney. France and Belgium are their main markets.

Hope this helps out a bit and glad to see it appears to be a decent port.

Richard Henderson · Post by **Richard Henderson** » Fri Jan 20, 2006 6:43 am

Thanks Andy. I note that R. Parker gave the 2000 and 2003 an 87.
I am a little surprised that his estimate of cost on the 2003 is $80.
$80 for a not so well known house with an 87 rating will not get them far in my market!