2011 Quarles Harris Vintage Port

[Andy Velebil]

Tasted over 3 days, non-blind. Mostly youthful plums and eucalyptus on the nose. Early on this started out soft and sweet with blackberries and a drier profile on the palate. There was also a large amount of disjointed spirit. That spirit fully integrated by day 3 and was no longer a distraction. The first 24 hours this was also lacking in complexity and had a short finish. This was a good example of why it's important to taste young VP over an extended period. As by the third day that had all changed. The nose became deeper with the plums dominating and just a touch of eucalyptus in the background. That harsh spirit was gone leaving a nice medium body VP full of plums, red stone fruits, some mint, dark chocolate, and moderately drying tannins. The medium length finish was a continuation of the palate and in stark contrast to the first day I had this. At this young stage I would recommend decanting this for at least 36 hours, and preferably 48 hours. This will make a nice mid-term VP to enjoy while waiting for the big guys to mature and a very good value at $40.
89-90 Points

[Roy Hersh]

I agree with you that this Port is is rather underwhelming in the early stages and lots of heat as you mentioned, Andy. Sure it may get considerably better after a few days, but consumer at least want it to be nice and pleasant ... even in a pop and pour scenario when they are this young. The QH fails in that way, imo, but especially the heat. Not terrible or undrinkable, just SO MANY better 2011s, right out of the gate. And while $40 for a VP is typically a good value, not so sure about this one being worth that price. To be fair, mine has only been open for 2 days and tomorrow is day 3, so maybe there is still an epiphany to be had?

[Andy Velebil]

I would say it can be a tough decision to put such a young VP on the shelf of a store in which most of the buyers probably aren't going to be aging these for mid term, or any term. So one could argue that was a mistake to do. These QH's were bottled later than all the other 2011 Symington VP's and one can assumed shipped straight over and put on a shelf. Probably not the best treatment in short order to show best. That said, like many young VP's, an extended decant was where it showed promise. As my note indicated, I wasn't a big fan of it until day 3 when things really changed. Prior to that I was getting ready to write it off. I'd like to get a bottle and come back to it in say, 4-5 months, to see if a little more time in bottle and being settled has helped out on the front end.

However, for the average consumer and those looking for a decent mid term cellar defender in the future, I feel this will be a decent VP for the price. What other 2011 VP in the States are you going to get for $40 at retail?

[Roy Hersh]

Good analysis Andy!

Later this morning, I will try the QH'11 again and hope it reveals the same evolution that you found on day 3. Heck, maybe I'll even let it hang until tomorrow so I can try it one last time on day 4.

[Eric Menchen]

What other 2011 VP in the States are you going to get for $40 at retail?

I'm not sure of any 2011 VP, but the discussion would make me consider these alternatives at a local b&m (Total Beverage, Westminster, CO):
- 2000 Cockburn VP for $45
- 1999 Dow Quinta do Bomfim for $45
- 2009 Graham Quinta dos Malvedos for $50
Previously from there I bought 2003 Cockburn's for $30, 2005 Quinta de Roriz for $25, 2006 Dow Quinta da Senhora da Ribeira for $25, and 2007 Quinta do Noval Silval for $26.

So it isn't like there is no VP out there for ~$40. I'm going to open one of those Silvals in the next month and we'll see how it compares.

[Miguel Simoes]

What other 2011 VP in the States are you going to get for $40 at retail?

Bought a couple of bottles of Kopke 2011 @ $40 from thewinebuyer.com back in late Nov.

You can get it there now for $50 w free shipping on a case.

[Miguel Simoes]

What other 2011 VP in the States are you going to get for $40 at retail?

Bought a couple of bottles of Kopke 2011 @ $40 from thewinebuyer.com back in late Nov. Enjoyed it.

You can get it there now for $50 w free shipping on a case.

Edit: Checking on wine-searcher, you can find Cálem and Barros 2011 at about $40/bottle, Kopke at $45

[Eric Menchen]

And one place has Burmester for $40.90.

[Miguel Simoes]

Now if only we could see Roy's tasting notes!

[Roy Hersh]

They're just about done. There's a reason why the next newsletter with them has yet to launch and you will all understand this weekend. Worth waiting for. The newsletter though, is a book at over 100 pages.

So it isn't like there is no VP out there for ~$40.

Agreed. The recent FTLOP Buyer's Op, had two at $25 and they're damn good. The other pair at $29.95 were also quite tasty. Given there age and that was a delivered price ... well, hard to beat. I'd put to of them against anything mentioned under $40 so far in this thread.

[Roy Hersh]

The heat for me never fully integrated, maybe not over the top or obtrusive but certainly still noticeable. For those sensitive to it, they will be bothered. For me, not at all, but it was aparent that it was omnipresent even on day 4. That being said, I agree with Andy's note and wound up at 90 points which is certainly respectable, especially at $40. That said, i would not be one to rush to buy a bottle of this, as I think there are far better Ports to be had in that category, some at an even lower price. Overall it did get better, but an odd duck for sure.

[Eric Menchen]

Sounds like something to grab if I happen to be at TJ's and see it, but not something I need to put in an order for a sixer of. Thanks for the notes.