Multi: 2003 Taylor, Fonseca, Croft, Delaforce Vintage Ports

[Ted D]

I have little experience with drinking Port on release, but that no reason to not have an opinion. That said, I've drank plenty of young and old Port.

The first night this is basically an intellectual exercise. The second night they were more fun to drink. Night three they started to sing! Yes, I'm buying!!!

I like Taylor better than Fonseca in general. That may explain their relative scores. The Croft was so-so at first but blossemed. The Delaforce, although a fine bottle, was outclassed.

A scent of Kalamata dried figs and dates as I opened the bottles.

Croft - 93 points
- on the nose, dark figs, graphite and a sense of dark fruits hidden under the surface morphing to dark fruits after a day, with a sense of very fine tannins

Mouthfilling and mouth smaking. Big & long, sweet and round. Not especially well balanced for the first day, but developing a fine sense of balance after 48 hours. Starts initially with high toned red fruits that fill out after a day. Hints of menthol.

This certainly improved the most with breathing, but improved the most slowly. It was after 48 hours that it really started to show well.

Taylor - 97 points
Not much on the nose. Some talc, a little fig. Some graphite and red and black fruits after a day, but the least expressive nose.

Big and beautiful on the palate from opening. Big red fruits. It's all balance and elegance.
Classic Taylor - understated yet racy. Awesome!


Fonseca - 95 points
A "sense of cool" on the nose, similar to the hints of menthol on the Croft's palate. Rich fruit, but barely perceptible for the first day. After 24 hours a medical note others have described as "cocaine" - like a cherry liqueur to me and not objectionable at all

This started big sweet and easy going and the most pleasurable to drink of the four initially. Honest as the day is long! Long with high toned sweetness. Big, but not showing like a monster - initially. Juiciest and most hedonistic. After 24 hours - a fruit bomb! Wonder if the monster 85 was like this young?

Delaforce - 89 points
Nose - deep red fruits, graphite, figs and dates. After 24 hours more fig showing.

The lightest tasting of the group. Long and dark/dried fruits. "Red Wine" taste, in addition to tasting like Port. Good mouthfeel. Much better on day 3 (48 hours) and perhaps deserving a better score but clearly outclassed by the others. Nonetheless an extremely good drink!

[Ronald Wortel]

Thanks for the notes Ted!

After 24 hours a medical note others have described as "cocaine"

[Ted D]

Thanks for the notes Ted!

After 24 hours a medical note others have described as "cocaine"

It's a taste I've encountered before in a few wines, and often someone has commented on that scent. Once in a tasting room, someone made that comment and the guy pouring said "people always say that!"

Ted