Multi: 1998 Ramos Pinto LBV & 1983 Cockburn Vintage Port

[Kris Henderson]

Over the thanksgiving holiday I was able to enjoy a couple ports. Here are the taste notes:

1998 Ramos-Pinto LBV
I used this mostly to make cranberry sauce. Put 10 ounces of cranberries, 1.5 cups of port, and 2 tablespoons of grand marnier in a sauce pan. If necessary, add enough water to cover the cranberries. Bring to a boil and simmer until the cranberries are broken up. Add 0.5 to 1 cup of sugar to reach the desired sweetness. The cranberry sauce was very nice. I sipped some of the port while I was making the sauce and was pleasantly surprised. I wasn't expecting much but found a nicely made LBV with aromas of cherry and plum. On the palate the wine is well structured and balanced. The alcohol is well integrated and is not hot at all. The finish is warm and lengthy. Excellent value with this and it's worth buying again. I give it 89 points.

1983 Cockburn
2 or 3 months ago I had a glass of this at a restaurant and thought it was an excellent vintage port. I decided I had to have a bottle of this for thanksgiving and tracked one down. The bottle I opened was not as good as the one I had a few months ago but it was a respectable showing. The color was a brilliant ruby red. The nose was a little funky right after opening but 8 hours later in the decater most of that dissipated. The nose is fragrant and nicely perfumed with red fruits, dates, chocolate and a touch of alcohol. Good structure, medium sweetness, moderate tannin and lowish acidity. Medium to full body with a nice round, soft mouth feel. 93 points.

Also tasted was a Portugese table wine. Three days of turkey in a row gets old so on Sunday I got Greek food for takeout and enjoyed the food with a bottle of 2000 Quinta dos Roques Touriga Nacional Dão. Touriga Nacional makes a very nice table wine. The nose has some similarities with port. There are dark fruits and also some earth. Medium weight on the palate with just a touch of sweetness. Nice finish and was a decent pairing with the Greek chicken pot pie and gyros. 89.

I'm looking forward to the next bottle of Vintage Port that I open. Probably at Christmas time and probably a bottle of 1983 Taylor. Thanks for reading. -Kris

[Al B.]

Kris,

I'm really pleased to read of someone having had a good bottle of the Cockburn '83. I've read good things about this wine, tried two bottles and had mushroom flavoured soup both times.

And a Taylor's '83 for Christmas - I love those '83s right now!

Alex

[Andy Velebil]

Kris,

I somehow missed this thread...Thanks for the notes. I have copied the recipe into my list of "Port dishes" and will give it a go next time I have the chance.

If anyone else has some recipes that use Port please post them.

[Kris Henderson]

Alex,
My expectations were low for the 1983 Cockburn due to all the bottle variation I had read about. When it turned out not to be corked or spoiled in some way I was very happy.

Andy,
I started a thread in Other Discussions for recipes with port. I'd love to see what other people have for recipes with port. I recall a salad dressing I had a year or so ago that was made from a port reduction. I'd love to know if it was just a simple reduction of port of if there were other ingredients.