1997 Quinta do Vesuvio VP

[Eric Menchen]

Smells of cinnamon, with grape stem and dark berry fruit, along with some alcohol warmth. There is also esteva, star anise, and hints of eucalyptus and cardamom, Tastes of berry, perhaps marionberry. Tasted the next day, at which point it was very fragrant with alcohol warmth on top of berry, menthol, grape stem, cellar wood, cherry Sucrets, and quince paste. It tastes as deep as it smells, with strawberry, cherry, and red currant. I didn’t score this at the time, but recollection and the note suggest 93-94 points.