At the Norwegian Wine Monopoly Barao de Vilar has introduced two vintage ports, from years 1997 and 2000. I have purchased one of each to test out. Here is 1997:
Decanted 5 hrs which was OK. Maybe further 30 minutes will be of benefit. Top of the bottle had red wax. Then there was a thin metal capsule. Cork in perfect condition and it was opened with a regular corkscrew. A lot of sediments at decanting. Dark purple colour with a tiny light rim. Powerful, fruity aroma (cherries), in general on the sweet side. But there was also hints of tobacco, spices and herbs. Full body. Taste is powerful/rich and quite elegant, plenty ripe fruit (cherries), nice tannins. As for the aroma, also the taste included hints of tobacco, spices and herbs. Well-structured vintage port with an acceptable acidity/sweetness-balance. Long aftertaste. Considered one more point, but ended at 92 pts.
1997 Barao de Vilar vintage port
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