1997 Sandeman Porto Vintage Vau - Portugal, Douro, Porto (4/5/2010)
From a 375ml bottle, decanted about 4 hours now. I was amazed at how dark this still was, as it was showing no signs of fading. With a silky nose still showing some very young plums, blackberries and a just a touch of chocolate that eventually give way to light violets. Soft initally on the palate, this quickly gains steam with lots of acidity and fruit that drifted between youthful dark berries and very faint hints of secondary violets and some cedar. The tannins also drifted between light and medium on the body and then very dusty on the medium length finish. Blind I probably would guess this was more in line with a younger VP. Yet this Vau seems to be just starting that transitional phase into a more mature Port. At times it seemed still quite young, and at times it seems to show more mature notes. I think I caught this one at that rare point where both are showing themselves over the course of enjoying it. Considering this is a 1/2 bottle, I'd recommend leaving this at least a few more years in the cellar. This bottle showed better than the last time I had this almost three years ago. 90 Points (90 pts.)
Outstanding note Andy. Where I differ, has nothing to do with your perception, which I bet is spot on for the 375 you had. I've had it from 750 last fall and have yet to write it up. But checking my note, it was still quite youthful, but identical to the rest of what you had written. In Magnum this would be a fun baby and I don't know when to pop it in 3L as that would seem like a veritable toddler, at least at the moment. I am sure you saw what George said yesterday about the 1997 Vau drinking window. So you can see the type of bottle format is the real difference maker. If per chance you don't have a 750, I'll open one when we're together next.
No I only have one 1/2 bottle left in the cellar and one magnum of this. As I believe the smaller the bottle format the faster they age, It would be really fun to see the difference a regular 750ml bottle shows. Heck, I'm sure in a 1.5l or your 3l it would still be a baby and best left to age in such a large format. Or better yet, when we see each other next I'll bring the 375 and the 1.5l, you toss in the 750ml, and we'll compare them all side by side
That would certainly be fun. I know the Vau '97 is still quite a bit away from reaching peak that is for sure. Although George does not think this will go a full 30 years, to be, 20 years is a no-brainer as the tannin and acidity are both there in spades.
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