TN: 2003 Warre Porto Late Bottled Vintage
Posted: Mon Aug 07, 2017 4:16 pm
8/7/2017 rated 93 points: 2003 Warre Porto Late Bottled Vintage, Kroger, $31/750 ml; Kroger Troy, OH via Heidelberg wholesale wines. 20 percent alcohol bv. New bottle; Cork-finished. Moved via Coravin to a small decanter, and allowed to air for about an hour.
Has tears of reluctant Tudor 'Kirchenfenster' (in German' 'Church Windows', a flat-topped pattern of side-of-the-glass sheeting.) Unavoidable (by this pouring method) small flecks of crust deposited out on sides of glass as well. (Riedel Vinum Burgundy).
Smoky plum; fruity licorice and vanilla-cherry; a bit tight at first, but a very smooth blackcurrant impression emerges from the Coravin on second pour. Later it expresses a powdered-sugar-dusted raspberry note and a liquescent sensation with a full-spectrum tannic mouthfeel, but with restraint. No real heat is left, such as I detected with my chemo-injured mouth the last tasting; fine sugar plum candy finish with the merest suspicion of Italianate dry bitters that is most attractive playing off all that delicate sweet fruit.
93/100 'Parker-style' points.
Even though this is one of the more expensive late bottled vintages, it must be listed as having a great QPR, and among the best and most consistent of its breed year in and year out. This is, moreover, a top example. I agree with the writer who states it 'just missed' regular Vintage status, however, I'm not sure that it wouldn't have made a very lovely VP. How well I remember the recalcitrant 1982, that blossomed into something very blissful at about 20-25 years of age. The best of these have an aging curve nearly indistinguishable from Vintage Porto. The only evidence in this one of its LVP status is the caressing moutfeel at a relatively young age.
This one is still a bit young for the soda pop clan, but give it some decanter time if you want it sooner.
Drink 2018-2030 and will hold thereafter.
Has tears of reluctant Tudor 'Kirchenfenster' (in German' 'Church Windows', a flat-topped pattern of side-of-the-glass sheeting.) Unavoidable (by this pouring method) small flecks of crust deposited out on sides of glass as well. (Riedel Vinum Burgundy).
Smoky plum; fruity licorice and vanilla-cherry; a bit tight at first, but a very smooth blackcurrant impression emerges from the Coravin on second pour. Later it expresses a powdered-sugar-dusted raspberry note and a liquescent sensation with a full-spectrum tannic mouthfeel, but with restraint. No real heat is left, such as I detected with my chemo-injured mouth the last tasting; fine sugar plum candy finish with the merest suspicion of Italianate dry bitters that is most attractive playing off all that delicate sweet fruit.
93/100 'Parker-style' points.
Even though this is one of the more expensive late bottled vintages, it must be listed as having a great QPR, and among the best and most consistent of its breed year in and year out. This is, moreover, a top example. I agree with the writer who states it 'just missed' regular Vintage status, however, I'm not sure that it wouldn't have made a very lovely VP. How well I remember the recalcitrant 1982, that blossomed into something very blissful at about 20-25 years of age. The best of these have an aging curve nearly indistinguishable from Vintage Porto. The only evidence in this one of its LVP status is the caressing moutfeel at a relatively young age.
This one is still a bit young for the soda pop clan, but give it some decanter time if you want it sooner.
Drink 2018-2030 and will hold thereafter.