Recap of an Odd Lot Tasting

[John M.]

The Usual Suspects gathered last night, plus several guests to taste an non-thematic group of Ports. Due to graduations and other obligations we were only 10, so purposefully put in a lot of LBVs and a Ruby Reserve as intros for the newbies. There were 5 bottles, wanting 6 things to taste and a small crew, I took equal measures of the 3 LBVs and the Reserve and created a blend (I have done this before, especially after a tasting where there's leftover's of the least favorites. Sometimes the result is better than the parts, sometimes the same but never worse---and the ones combined are never special or precious bottles).

All were opened 12 hours prior, double decanted as required. Otherwise just opened and left in bottle. These were not tasted blind. WOTN was the Barros White; the two Taylors tied for second within the group.

Barros Very Old Dry White Port
From a base of a 1934 white port. Golden hour to honey color with a peach red rim. Nose offers quite a bit with vanilla and pralines, a hint of scotch and a hint of a burnt and dry quality. The taste offers up front light sweetness with a woody bourbon quality; light to moderate viscosity. On the dry side to a moderate finish. Woody, light citrus, elements of pear, butterscotch and honey, too. A lot going on here, nicely complex and easily the WOTN.

95 Points

2008 Taylor Fladgate LBV
Deep purple with a red rim-looks dense. Aromas of berry and plum, a little cherry with a slight pepper/bramble note. Nice mouth feel with fruit forward taste notably mashed dark berries and later a touch of strawberry and plum. Lightly sweet, the finish is moderate with touches of white pepper and bitter chocolate.

90 Points.

2010 Taylor Fladgate LBV
Deep purple with a magenta edge. Grapier with blackberry overtones. Taste offers a deep grape with a dry spicy finish. This one tasted more robust than the 2008, but the 2008 was more refined.

92 Points

2008 Fonseca LBV
Unfiltered. Deep purple with a magenta rim. Brambles with a touch of mint in a generous nose. Taste is simple grape with a bing cherry finish. Tannic dry finish. Just not complex and better options for the price.

85 Points

Fonseca Bin 27
Slightly flawed bottle---had lots of sediment but tasted fine and looked aged. Warm baked grapes and blackberries. Spicy with subsequent sips more fruit forward with grapes and dark berries with a little pepper and grass on a dry finish.

87 Points


The Blend was fine. I had it better than both Fonsecas but below the Taylors.