Boplaas?

[Peter Handel]

Was wondering if anyone has had recent vintages of Boplaas port? Seems to be hard to find here in CA, but the scattered reviews that I've come across (Roy's included) seem good? I'm interested in picking up a case of the '09 Vintage Reserve, but it's a bit of a gamble ... thoughts? Thanks!

[Al B.]

I like the Cape Vintage and Cape Vintage Reserve wines produced in South Africa and have a few tucked away to mature, including some bottles of Boplaas' 2009 Cape Vintage Auction Reserve - which is just stunningly good and probably the best Cape Vintage Reserve I've tried yet. Have you been offered the Vintage Reserve or the Vintage Auction Reserve as both are available?

The last Boplaas Cape Vintage I tried before the 2009 CVAR was the 2002 which I drank in 2006 so it was still in its exuberant fruity infancy. It was delicious and I scored it at 92/100 for current drinking at the time but also noted that it had a lot of potential to mature and develop.

[John M.]

I had the 2009 Boplaa's VP this year. Probably the best SA port I've had--and I've had several as a good friend is from there--whenever he goes for a visit or someone visits him they always bring something. Here's my note:

Decanted 4 hours. Ruby red. Initially blackberry and tobacco with a short to moderate finish. Pleasant drinking and for a SA port, well constructed. After an few more hours the tobacco left and more raspberry, touch of licorice. Enjoyable. 87 Points.

I always find non-portuguese ports "bright"--the minerality of the schist is not duplicated elsewhere IMHO...still, these ports are quite enjoyable. I like them best on a shorter decant than typical.

[Peter Handel]

I actually went ahead and ordered the case of 2009 Vintage Reserve Port. However, when it arrived, it ended up being the Vintage Port instead! I'm trying to decide what to do (since shipping from the east coast was expensive!) - we went ahead and opened one bottle last night (while trimming the Christmas tree, yeah!), but I need to try it again after it's been open for a bit before posting a note. Has anyone had both of these 2009's? The place I bought it from only has the 2007 in Vintage Reserve Port, how does that compare to the above two?

Thanks for the tasting notes!

[Al B.]

Peter

Can you post a picture of the label of the bottle you opened?

Thanks

[Peter Handel]

Here it is: https://www.dropbox.com/s/4bfm1ohtwc8oz95/boplaas.jpg

[Peter Handel]

By the way, has anyone had a chance to compare the 2007 Vintage Port Reserve and the 2009 Vintage Port Reserve?

[Al B.]

Here it is: https://www.dropbox.com/s/4bfm1ohtwc8oz95/boplaas.jpg

Peter - I'm getting an error message when I try to open the link you've posted.