1991 Ramos Pinto Vintage Port

[Mahmoud Ali]

While John M on another thread was tasting the 1994 Ramos Pinto, I was drinking the 1991 vintage. It seems to have fared much better in that it was more youthful, powerful, and deep.

1991 Ramos Pinto Vintage Port (20%)

This was a recent sale-priced purchase so the I have to presume that it didn't have the best of provenance. It was opened late at night after we had had many bottles of red and white wine. No notes were taken but if memory serves me well it was deemed mature, on the light side, fully mature, and in need of furthur airing. A bit was left in the decanter as we went on to try a Bowmore scotch.

The next night: the core is terracotta-brick with a translucent orange rim. The spirit has mostly blown off and we're left with a fine elegant nose of cloves, chistmas cake, and a hint of madeira. The palate is light, mildly sweet, and has a honeyed, nutty, and spicy profile with a hint of madeirization that ends with a mildly spirited, gentle finish. Overall, a nice port, gemtle and mature.

Not too bad for C$24 (just under US$19 at today's exchange rate) and I'm quite pleased to have bought all three bottles that were on the shelf.

Cheers ........................ Mahmoud.