Celebration of the 18th Anniversary of For The Love Of Port
Friday, November 17, 2023
- 2007 Quinta da Romaneira Porto Vintage - Portugal, Douro, Porto (11/17/2023)
Deep, dark purple garnet in color. The nose offers a mix of dusty fruit, with ripe blueberry, blackberry, and a touch of herbs. On the palate, it's like indulging in a blackberry cobbler, with a smooth and well-balanced character, showcasing good tannins. Lovely, long, jammy finish. (93 pts.) - NV Viera de Sousa Porto 30 Year Old Tawny Quinta do Bom Dia - Portugal, Douro, Porto (11/17/2023)
Bottled in 2023. It has an inviting amber-orange color and light yellow edges. On the nose, it's a delightful mix of caramel, vanilla, and subtle spices, reminiscent of a barrel room in Villa Nova de Gaia. This full-bodied Tawny Port offers a satisfying experience with well-integrated tannins and a touch of bitterness on the long finish. (90 pts.) - NV S. Leonardo Porto 20 Year Old White - Portugal, Douro, Porto (11/17/2023)
Bottled in 2023. Amber-orange in color. Its aromatic profile features grilled pineapple and guava notes. The entry is rich and intense, and the palate evolves into a remarkable flavor spectrum of dried nuts, dried herbs, caramel, and honey. It has a harmonious balance with vibrant acidity. (94 pts.)
- 1963 Cockburn Porto Vintage - Portugal, Douro, Porto (11/18/2023)
Amber-ruby hue. Aromas of Christmas spices and dried nuts create a sense of complexity, with intriguing hints of Tawny Port characteristics adding depth. The palate is rich and intense, featuring a delightful array of baking spices and notes of lemon peel. The sharp cinnamon undertones evoke a distinct Vintage Port profile. It has a nice, long finish. (92 pts.) - 1963 Taylor (Fladgate) Porto Vintage - Portugal, Douro, Porto (11/18/2023)
Dark purple in color. Cool, crushed dark fruit on the nose dominated by notes of blueberry, dark plum, and blackberry. The palate unfolds with subtle notes of sassafras and there are some slight bitter notes on the finish. Notably, there's a touch of dryness that adds a sophisticated edge to the overall profile. (93 pts.) - 1963 Graham Porto Vintage - Portugal, Douro, Porto (11/18/2023)
Corked NR (flawed) - 1983 Quarles Harris Porto Vintage - Portugal, Douro, Porto (11/18/2023)
This wine has a very dark ruby hue that remains opaque except for the edges. Aromas of chocolate cocoa powder dominate the nose, accompanied by the inviting notes of black currant and dark plum. Upon the first sip, the palate is treated to a well-balanced flavor profile, where the richness of dark cherry takes center stage. The integration of nice tannins adds structure, contributing to the wine's overall harmony. The finish is long and well-balanced. (93 pts.) - 1983 Dow Porto Vintage - Portugal, Douro, Porto (11/18/2023)
Unique aroma reminiscent of bread pudding on the nose. Its dark amber color reveals notes of chocolate and dark cherry. Swirling the wine brings up some funky vegetative notes. Nice structure on the palate, with a delightful combination of dark fruit, chocolate, and well-integrated tannins. Good long finish. (92 pts.) - 1983 Taylor (Fladgate) Porto Vintage - Portugal, Douro, Porto (11/18/2023)
Classic older Taylor Vintage Port hue with a dark ruby center transitioning to pink edges. Initially subtle, I coaxed out notes of chocolate and subtle mint on the nose. The palate delivers a rich, intense, and complex flavor profile featuring chocolate, cinnamon, and baking spices, ending in a wonderful, long finish. (94 pts.) - 1983 Graham Porto Vintage - Portugal, Douro, Porto (11/18/2023)
Dark opaque purple with garnet edges. Bursting with dark bramble fruits and loganberry on the nose, its rich flavor profile unveils primary notes of blueberry, blackberry, and black currant. Fine-grained tannins contribute to the structure. Very long, lush finish. (94 pts.) - 1983 Gould Campbell Porto Vintage - Portugal, Douro, Porto (11/18/2023)
Dark opaque purple with garnet edges. There are enticing aromas of blackberry and blueberry compote with light herbal notes. Fresh crushed dark fruits dance on the palate, accompanied by dusty tannins and a wonderful balance that extends into a long, satisfying finish. (94 pts.) - 1983 Ramos Pinto Porto Vintage - Portugal, Douro, Porto (11/18/2023)
Dark pink-purple hue with slight garnet edges. This wine offers a nose of dark, brooding fruit. While it could use a touch more acidity, it delivers a slurpable profile with a very nice, long finish. (95 pts.)
- 1966 Kopke Porto Colheita - Portugal, Douro, Porto (11/19/2023)
Bottled in 2019. Amber-orange color with a yellow rim. It has aromas of caramel, orange spices, and a hint of cinnamon. With noticeable acidity from the entry to the mid-palate, it unfolds a sweet flavor profile, featuring dried nuts and dried orange peel. The very long finish introduces a touch of cinnamon and additional acidity. (93 pts.) - 1963 Kopke Porto Colheita - Portugal, Douro, Porto (11/19/2023)
Bottled in 2012. Dark amber-brown hue. Vanilla on the nose combines with dried nuts and dusty old wood. The smooth entry with good acidity transitions into a mid-palate with complexity and waves of orange spice, caramel and toffee. There is just a hint of bitterness or sourness on the finish, but otherwise a remarkable Port. (94 pts.) - 1957 Kopke Porto Colheita - Portugal, Douro, Porto (11/19/2023)
Bottled in 2019. Medium amber-brown color with a slight spirit on the nose, complemented by dried fruit. It has a very sweet entry, and the acidity here almost seems like carbonation. It has a long finish with nice acidity. (91 pts.) - 1952 Kopke Porto Colheita - Portugal, Douro, Porto (11/19/2023)
Bottled in 2011. Slightly cloudy tawny brown color. Notes of chocolate, mahogany, molasses, and subtle herbal nuances create a smooth flavor profile with well-balanced tannins. The long finish is highlighted by a nice blend of orange sweetness and acidity. (92 pts.) - 1937 Kopke Porto Colheita - Portugal, Douro, Porto (11/19/2023)
Bottled in 2017. Clear, intense amber-brown center with light yellow and a hint of green on the edge. With light varnish notes on the nose, it has a rich, intense mouthfeel with subtle chocolate, dried fruits, and herbal notes on the long finish. (94 pts.) - 1952 J.W. Burmester Porto Colheita - Portugal, Douro, Porto (11/19/2023)
Bottled in 2019. Amber-orange core with a noticeable yellow edge. The nose offers warm spices, old wood, orange spices, vanilla, and caramel. It presents a wonderful sweet flavor profile with caramel, orange spice, dried fruit, nuts, and great acidity. (91 pts.) - NV Confraria Do Vinho Do Porto Porto 40 Year Old Tawny - Portugal, Douro, Porto (11/19/2023)
This Tawny Port was created as a limited release to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the Confraria do Vinho do Porto. This wine was blended from old stocks personally selected by David Guimaraens (winemaker at the Fladgate Partnership). It is amber in color with some olive hues. On the nose, it delivers Christmas spices and complex red fruit. On the palate, it has intense red fruit, spice, balanced tannins, and a refreshing finish. (93 pts.) - NV S. Leonardo Porto 60 Year Old Tawny - Portugal, Douro, Porto (11/19/2023)
Bottled in 2017. Very dark amber hue, almost black. Amazing aromas of burnt sugar, espresso bean, old mahogany, and subtle spices. Intense molasses, brown sugar, and rich intensity on the palate. It has a rich profile that features waves and waves of complex, rich flavors. Crazy long, rich finish. Wow. (96 pts.) - NV Agri-Roncão Porto DR Very Old White - Portugal, Douro, Porto (11/19/2023)
Bottled in 2021. Orange-yellow color. It has rich, lush aromas of tropical fruit, vanilla, cantaloupe, and pineapple. On the palate, it is incredibly complex, with waves of rich tropical fruits with balanced sweetness and acidity. The finish just keeps going and going. Fantastic structure and richness. (97 pts.) - 2008 Agri-Roncão Douro DR White Colheita - Portugal, Douro (11/19/2023)
Bottled in 2021. Peach-white in color. There are wonderful floral and tropical notes on the nose, with pineapple and white peach. The acidity is perfectly balanced here with the sweetness, giving this wine a thirst-quenching quality that is refreshing and approachable. The very long finish features beautiful honey and light caramel notes. (93 pts.) - NV J.H. Andresen Porto Very Old 40 Year Old Tawny - Portugal, Douro, Porto (11/19/2023)
Bottled in 2021, Amber-yellow in color. There are tropical notes and a touch of VA on the nose. The intense flavor profile includes bright acidity and peach, white stone fruits, and tropical notes on the palate. Very long finish. (94 pts.) - 2003 Kopke Porto White Colheita - Portugal, Douro, Porto (11/19/2023)
Bottled in 2021. Clear, brilliant amber-orange color. Tropical notes on the nose with a hint of maple syrup and dried herbs. The palate is extremely balanced, with spices, white peaches, and tropical notes. There is good acidity from the start to the very end of the long finish. (92 pts.) - 1853 Lomelino Madeira Malmsey Solera - Portugal, Madeira (11/19/2023)
Light amber-brown in color. This wine has a delightful nose with a hint of dill and some oxidation. Balanced acidity and sweetness accompany dried nuts, salinity, and a nice, long finish. (93 pts.) - 1964 Casa do Douro Porto Colheita - Portugal, Douro, Porto (11/19/2023)
Amber-brown in color. Marzipan and dried nuts on the nose. With a smooth flavor profile featuring bread pudding and cinnamon spice, it concludes with nice acidity on the long finish. (90 pts.)