For The Love Of Port

From the recent buying opportunity, and doing the duty for which it was purchased. Cellar defender!

1995 Souza VP

Color: Medium dark garnet. Looks nice in the glass.

Nose: Grape, purple berries, milk chocolate, and some ... prune? Raisin? Tough to tell.

Palate: Dark red cherry, chocolate, and prune (think Fig Newtons). Nice and round in the mouth. Lots of flavor, but not as intense or juicy as a younger Port. Similar profile, though.

Score: 91 points. This is an excellent Port that serves well on a blustery, cold evening.

Yet another excellent '95!


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So far, with the notable exception of Ferreira, most 1995's I've had have been on a nice mature plateau or close to it. Granted most are single Quinta type VP's so they probably suffer a bit from not being the usual VP blends. Regardless, 1994 is head and shoulders above it.


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I haven't opened one for quite a while, but the '95 Vesuvio seemed to me to be on a different course, meaning more like a generally declared vintage. I only got 6 of them, though, so plan to wait until they're 30 to start opening them. I figure 30's safe even if they're similar to this Souza.

I've had a fair number of 1995 VPs in the past 18 months and as a group show very well. Most scores in the 90-94 range for me. Vesuvio & Grahams were my favorites....Andy-not sure what you mean with Ferreira....it was great for me. To me all were drinking pretty well and probably have some room to age further.....nice to have while letting 1994s sleep.

John M. wrote:I've had a fair number of 1995 VPs in the past 18 months and as a group show very well. Most scores in the 90-94 range for me. Vesuvio & Grahams were my favorites....Andy-not sure what you mean with Ferreira....it was great for me. To me all were drinking pretty well and probably have some room to age further.....nice to have while letting 1994s sleep.

Your last statement is what I was referring to. While 1995 produced some nice VP's, the vast majority won't be long lived. They are however wonderful to enjoy now and while 1994's keep sleeping their youth away in the cellar.

And scores alone don't always mean much. I can have a lovely fully mature 1995 that is in the low 90 point range.

Andy Velebil wrote:

John M. wrote:I've had a fair number of 1995 VPs in the past 18 months and as a group show very well. Most scores in the 90-94 range for me. Vesuvio & Grahams were my favorites....Andy-not sure what you mean with Ferreira....it was great for me. To me all were drinking pretty well and probably have some room to age further.....nice to have while letting 1994s sleep.

Your last statement is what I was referring to. While 1995 produced some nice VP's, the vast majority won't be long lived. They are however wonderful to enjoy now and while 1994's keep sleeping their youth away in the cellar.

And scores alone don't always mean much. I can have a lovely fully mature 1995 that is in the low 90 point range.

I've been a big fan of '95s for that exact reason, they seem to be in a great spot now, seem to elicit a lot of low 90s scores at very reasonable prices (probably partially due to the mostly SQVP makeup of the releases).


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The Porto Souza '95 is too raisiny for my preference, but the price was right on them.

I like the 1997 Souza a bit more than the 1995. A fine cellar defender though.

As for 1995, I agree with John M. re: the Ferreira. In a gorgeous place right now.