I ought to confess at the outset that I am a devotee of Quevedo tawnies and, equally, of the family and its staff. These are distinct issues, I recognise, though it is always a pleasure when they might be celebrated in harmony.
The appearance of this wine, which had only twenty years in the barrel (i.e., it was bottled in 2016), reminded one that it had been aged in the Douro valley rather than at Vila Nova de Gaia: it was an agreeable brown in colour, largely opaque, showed blood-red as well as purple hues, and evidenced a touch of lime at the rim. Or so my rheumy eyes suggested. The nose pointed squarely to the youth of the port, with aromas of grape stem and earth so redolent to me of younger Quevedo tawnies, coming together with blackberries as well as hints of vanilla and ground pepper. The blackberries were again manifest on entry, as was dark chocolate and black cherry. The sweet sensations, such as they were, were supplanted on the way back by nutmeg and orange citrus, with gentle tannins making an appearance at the end. The finish featured well-integrated aguardiente, moderate length and an unremarkability consistent with the wine's adolescence. Well balanced and full bodied, I should like to try this tawny again, should any remain in oak, at forty years of age – by which time, I suspect, it shall be superb.
-91 points
1996 Quevedo Colheita Port
Moderators: Glenn E., Andy Velebil