For The Love Of Port

Lancers rosé. After reading comments above, I decided to give the Lancers rosé, Lancers white and Mateus a try.

The first up was the Lancers rosé. Slightly effervescent, slightly sweet, yet citrusy and crisp. Not bad and it went well with spicy bifanas (pork cutlet) sandwiches I made this afternoon.

Just joined today, so cannot remember them all. I will keep a list if I remember, but offhand, Sem-fim red 2011 and white 2012 (both worth cellaring, which I have done) several Ruby Ports Ferreira and a supermarket own brand, Sivipa 2009 and Thassos 2008 Moscatels, Tapado do Franco 2005 Reserva (and a 5 litre cask), similar white cask, a Contemporal 3 litre cask from Setúbal, a Favios white cask (which is quite awfully tropical fruit), a Tapado do Franco red cask.

Meandro 2011 => good.
Quinta do Vale Meao 2011 => good, still much too young, could become excellent in 4 - 5 years. Expensive.
Conceito 2010 => just excellent.
Contraste 2011 => good, still too much acidity, but no match to the Conceito.
Sagrado 2009 => good wine, well priced.
Quita do Sagrado 2007 => very good.
Quinta do Sagrado Reserva 2007 => very good. Quite expensive.
Sagrado VT´07 => good.
Quinta do Javali TN´07 (100% Touriga Nacional) => excellent (if you like a Touriga Nacional).

2007 Quinta do Crasto Vinha Maria Teresa

Decanted about 7 hours was perfect.

I recently came across an older bottle on a store shelf, a 2001 Quinta de Garrida, Dao. I bought it, took it home and couldn't resist opening it that night. It was nice, softened with age, had a ripe, open nose, and went down very well. I may go back and pick the remaining two - if they're still there!

Mahmoud.

While in London visiting friends and before dinner at Alex's 50th party.

2004 Casa Ferrerinha Barca Velha
2004 Niepoort Robustus
2005 Niepoort Robustus
2007 Niepoort Robustus
2004 CV (Quinta Vale D. Maria)
2005 CV (Quinta Vale D. Maria)
2010 Niepoort Coche Branco

I can say they all were pretty awesome with a special nod to the Niepoorts and Barca Velha. I'll get TN's up in due course.

2008 Altano Reserva Quinta do Ataíde Douro

Note posted

2011 Vale da Poupa Douro
http://www.fortheloveofport.com/ftlopfo ... =8&t=17149

2009 Quinta do Portal Colheita Douro
TN here http://www.fortheloveofport.com/ftlopfo ... =8&t=17168

2011 Tuella Douro DOC
TN posted here http://www.fortheloveofport.com/ftlopfo ... =8&t=17184

2005 Quinta do Crasto Reserva, Vinha Velha. Even given I had no chance to decant ahead, this was really delicious and approachable with a pop 'n pour experience with dinner. My wife really loved this one too!

I almost opened that (2005 Crasto Reserva) tonight, but picked something else because I figured it needed a long decant. Thanks for letting me know!

David, it likely would have been even better had it been decanted. But I did not have that opportunity either. But even w/out doing so, fully integrated oak and beautiful fruit emerged as it warmed up, as it was removed from the cellar as friends dropped by unexpectedly, moments before dinner.

2003 Callabriga Douro. Nice daily drinker and hard to beat value at $6/bottle.

Went to Daniel's Steak House with my wife and daughter for the very first time without guests. Yes, unbelievable considering the dozens of times I've eaten there, but never just me and my two girls.
Anyway, as I am not fond of paying $25/bottle corkage, when I must ... there won't be any unworthy bottles. Tonight to accompany the steak course, a fantastic 2004 Quinta do Crasto Touriga Nacional. I gave a few ounces to the Somm and he'd never had any Crasto before but admitted to liking Niepoort DOC wines. I was impressed that he knew any. Well after tasting it, my wife and I, along with the Somm were unduly impressed and this will easily fit into one of my top Douro wines of 2013, albeit very late in the game. Loved it! Even now, it can compete pretty nicely alongside 2001 TN by Crasto which for me is rarified territory in the Douro.

Now that my family is asleep, tonight while moving files from my office PC to my travel lap top, (someday I'll learn how to have them synch/share files) so that I can have important docx as we head to the mid-West to celebrate with my wife's family, I am sipping a 2002 Ferreirinha Vinha Grande. Very ready for drinking, a beautiful earthy style and caught at its peak, although it will likely drink well for another 2 or 3 years before the fruit starts to fade. Very pleased to only have one of these left. Will have that one in 2014 and not wait, but this is quite tasty at the moment.

I've got a 1999 Casa Ferreirinha Quinta da Leda and a 2005 Quinta do Crasto Touriga Nacional lined up for tomorrow and Friday.

2002 Crasto Old Vines Reserva is in queue.

2005 Crasto Touriga Nacional
Enjoyed it last night w lamb. Not sure I can appreciate table wine enough to get out of it all it brings to the table.

2003 Callabriga Douro
V nice, these were a steal!