For The Love Of Port

Tasted at a mini-vertical of 1994-1998.

1997 Quinta do Vesuvio Vintage Port
decanted 6 hours, which ultimately seemed too low. Recommend 8+.

Color: dark purple with a 3/8" to 1/2" rim.

Nose: this nose is somehow "harder" than the previous Ports - it just seems colder and more massive. Significant minerality, some purple to blue fruits, and cold wet stone/granite/marble.

Palate: rich red fruits, meaty, somewhat dry, but also somewhat clipped. Dusty tannins. Big, firm structure, but also somehow standoffish and distant. This is a big and potentially brooding Port, but not right now. Needs more time... lots more time.

Score: 93 points. I was in lock-step with Roy until we got to this Port. I can see potential, but for me it's just not there right now. Roy was several points higher.

The 1997 Vesuvio has always been tough and "angry". It's opened up a bit ovre th elast 5 or so years. But still, it's not that "fun" to drink. I do think that there is something there and it will emerge in the next 5 to 10 year with a more accessible demeanor. For now, I don't open them.

I must beg to differ. I think it is already drinking incredibly well at the minute. I have had it multiple times over the past 3 years and I have enjoy it every single time. I do no recognize the "tough and angry" descriptors and I am enjoy my Vesuvio silky and smooth.

I am also in the 94-95 range on this port.

Doesn't sound like one to drink now if you can hold off, no?

Moses Botbol wrote: ↑Thu Nov 12, 2020 6:52 am Doesn't sound like one to drink now if you can hold off, no?

I think it will be better in 10 years. It's really good now, but to me this bottle felt like it was still coming out of a "teenage funk" as we often discuss. I didn't think it was fully settled, but others (notably Roy) disagreed and loved it.