For The Love Of Port

Tasted at Andy's Los Angeles/O.C. Offline with Oscar Quevedo.

Andy popped this bottle after we'd emptied almost all of the other bottles. He served it well chilled, which seemed perfect.

Quevedo Rose Port

Color: Rose... what were you expecting?
Nose: "A darker version of white zinfandel."
Palate: Strawberry and raspberry, backed by a little bit of bite that only serves to give some depth. Light bodied and fairly neutral on the sweet/dry scale.
Finish: Short, but not clipped. Crisp and light.

Score: 85 points. Vastly preferable to the Croft Pink to me. On par with the Kopke Rose.

I finished this a few days later and it was still holding up nicely. The nice thing about this Rose is there is no overt heat and it doesn't come off as being candied. Add in some acidity to keep it fresh and you've got the makings of a nice Rose. Like Glenn, along with the Kopke Rose, this is one of the better ones I've had.

Andy Velebil wrote:it doesn't come off as being candied.

Candied... that's a good way to describe some of those others. And you're right, the Quevedo doesn't exhibit that "quality" like, say, the Croft does.

Agree with initial notes - only thing I would add: it was the first Rosé port that tasted like a port to me - others tasted too body-less to be recognisable as port on the palate - the flavour mix and finish of this could only have come from port, i wouldn't mistake it for syrupy sangria like another nameless brand... ! Interestingly I heard someone lately comment on another [unimpressive] new rosé, saying he was going to send that winemaker a bottle of the Quevedo with a note along the lines of "THIS is what you should be aiming for" Note: Tasted July 2010 at Vinologia, Porto - not sure how long bottle opened, etc.

Cynthia J wrote:Agree with initial notes - only thing I would add: it was the first Rosé port that tasted like a port to me.

I would have said the same thing, except that I'd already had the Kopke Rosé by the time I tasted this one. I think that they're very close in quality, and are the only Rosé Ports that are, to me, recognizable as Port.

Haven't had Kopke yet... clearly must do! Will check in when I have had the pleasure - thanks for the tip!