1998 Fonseca Guimaraens Vintage Port

[Andy Velebil]

from 375ml bottle that I bought in 2006 for $22, per my records. Color is medium ruby and indicates in a period to consume. Has a nose reminiscent of some 1980's VP's, woody, licorice but not TCA. While the palate has still has some tannins, the fruit is fully matured and into its secondary phases now. Light complexity and ready to drink, at least from 1/2 bottle.
88 Points

[Eric Menchen]

... 88 Points

Sounds similar to my experience with this from a 375 a little while back. I bought several and was kind of underwhelmed.

[Andy Velebil]

Granted not a great year, so these are right in the window I would expect them to be for a mid-term drinker. Well, at least from 1/2 bottle size anyways. Here's some notes from the Sym's website about the year.

1998

Weather Conditions
After a short, sharp winter the Douro ‘enjoyed’ an uncharacteristically hot and dry February and March; by late March vine shoots were already 30 cm in length. April and May, however, were extraordinarily wet and cool, with frost in higher lying areas. The result of this pattern was poor fruit set and one of the smallest vintages in living memory. June was mercifully mild and July and August hot and dry as they should be, and the grapes had achieved perfect ripeness in many areas.

Harvest
The harvest began around 21 September and the first Baumés were promising. Sadly, the weather broke and the harvest continued in wet conditions, reducing Baumés. Senhora da Ribeira was one quinta to start early, 14 September, and complete their harvest before the rains set in, and Cavadinha, as usual, began quite late on the 1st October, also missing the rains and harvesting in fine conditions.

[Lucas S]

I love reading these harvest notes because it instantly makes me want to buy the 1998 Warre's Cavadinha. I know it's not exactly rational.

[Andy Velebil]

I love reading these harvest notes because it instantly makes me want to buy the 1998 Warre's Cavadinha. I know it's not exactly rational.

That is the best thing about the Douro, it's so big with different micro-climates that someone ends up making something good even in a tough year. Well, unless it was 1993