2003 Rozès Porto Late Bottled Vintage - Portugal, Douro, Porto(1/25/2024)
Bottled in 2007 and unfiltered. Crushed dusty red fruits dominate, with a light nose of spirit. The palate shows a fresh mouthfeel, complemented by dark fruits, great structure, and well-integrated tannins. The finish is fresh and balanced. (90 pts.)
2003 Rozès Porto Vintage - Portugal, Douro, Porto(1/25/2024)
Chocolate and cassis on the nose with a hint of cool wet slate. The palate features lovely dark fruits, mocha, blackberry, and black currant, with a balanced entry, nice structure, and a very long finish. (91 pts.)
1997 Poças Porto Colheita - Portugal, Douro, Porto(1/25/2024)
Bottled in 2018. Cloudy orange in color with a nose of orange, vanilla, and creamsicle, along with a faint hint of turpentine. The entry is smooth and sweet, with a somewhat simple flavor profile. Acidity is present but slightly out of balance, particularly on the finish. (89 pts.)
1920 Barbeito Madeira Boal Favilla Vieira - Portugal, Madeira(1/25/2024)
Dark amber-brown with orange edges. The nose opens with bottle stink, featuring aromas of rubber tire, VA, burnt chocolate, and dried nuts. The palate showcases saline notes, dried fruits, and very bright acidity, with less sweetness than typical for a Malvasia. The long finish highlights salted caramel and lively acidity. Despite the initial nose, the wine held up remarkably well. (93 pts.)
1995 Ferreira Porto Vintage - Portugal, Douro, Porto(1/25/2024)
Amber-purple in color with a tight nose of dark fruits, including blueberry and blackberry. The palate is intense, with well-structured tannins, crushed blueberries, cassis, and noticeable acidity. This wine is enjoyable now but still has room to develop further. (92 pts.)
NV J.H. Andresen Porto Very Old 40 Year Old Tawny - Portugal, Douro, Porto(1/25/2024)
Bottled in 2023. Orange-amber in color with dried nuts, orange spices, caramel, and vanilla on the nose, along with a touch of spirit. There was some debate about whether the bottle had slight TCA, but air seemed to dissipate the issue. The entry is rich and intense, featuring dried nuts, bright acidity, orange spices, caramel, and hints of vanilla cream. The long finish is vibrant, with acidity and a touch of sweetness. (92 pts.)
NV Agri-Roncão Porto DR - 40 Year Old Tawny - Portugal, Douro, Porto(1/25/2024)
Bottled in 2021. Very clear with a rich orange-tan color. The nose offers cream caramel, vanilla cream, and a light ethereal quality. The entry is intense, showing dried fruits, apricot, Christmas spices, and excellent balance. (93 pts.)
NV Agri-Roncão Porto DR - L70 - Portugal, Douro, Porto(1/25/2024)
Lot 2017, bottle #107/200. Dark amber color with coffee-like hints. The entry is smooth and complex, with caramel, vanilla, orange spice, apricots, and coffee, supported by beautiful acidity. The finish is exceptionally long, lingering for minutes. This is an extraordinary wine. (97 pts.)
2004 Quinta do Crasto Douro Reserva Old Vines - Portugal, Douro(1/25/2024)
Dark ruby with light brown hints. The nose features old dusty wood notes, cranberry, red currant, and woody undertones. The palate shows good tannins and a dusty thread that lingers through the finish. Ready to drink now, with no further aging expected to improve it. (92 pts.)
1910 J.H. Andresen Porto Colheita - Portugal, Douro, Porto(1/25/2024)
Bottled in 1979. Cloudy tan-yellow with a brown sugar-colored center. Aromas of dark mocha powder, dried nuts, and old wood. Smooth entry with bright acidity and a touch of heat. The palate offers dried nuts, orange spices, and chocolate, finishing with surprising vibrancy and length. (91 pts.)
1900 J.H. Andresen Porto Colheita - Portugal, Douro, Porto(1/25/2024)
ottled in 1982. Vibrant amber-orange with slight cloudiness. The nose reveals candied orange slices, cinnamon, oak, and vanilla. The palate has a rich, intense entry with bright acidity, dusty tannins, and flavors of orange spices, apricots, roasted nuts, and caramel. The acidity is sharp and focused, leading to a wonderful, very long finish. (93 pts.)
NV Blackett Porto 20 Year Old White Port - Portugal, Douro, Porto(1/25/2024)
Bottled in 2023. Golden straw in color. The nose offers honeydew, tropical notes, and grilled pineapple. The palate is rich, featuring pineapple, honey, and bright acidity. The finish is long and balanced, with a slight touch of heat at the tail end. (91 pts.)
1964 Krohn Porto Colheita Branco - Portugal, Douro, Porto(1/25/2024)
Bottled in 2007. Aromas of grilled tropical fruit, honeysuckle, and white peach. The entry is extremely smooth with a rich flavor profile of tropical fruits and dried nuts. The finish highlights toffee notes and dried nuts, seamlessly integrated (91 pts.)
NV Vinhos Oscar Quevedo Porto 30 year old White Port - Portugal, Douro, Porto(1/25/2024)
Bottled in 2019. Clear yellow in color. Woody oak and dried fruit notes on the nose. The palate opens with noticeable acidity, followed by honey, grilled tropical fruits, and a touch of heat. Lively acidity carries through to a very long finish. (90 pts.)
1983 Dow Porto Vintage - Portugal, Douro, Porto(1/26/2024)
Decanted for 3.5 hours. Dusty red fruit on the nose with strawberry, red currant, and a hint of milk chocolate. The palate is complex, with strawberry, cherry, and Christmas spices leading to a long finish. (92 pts.)
1985 Dow Porto Vintage - Portugal, Douro, Porto(1/26/2024)
Decanted for 3.5 hours. Amber and clear in color. The nose is slightly closed, showing red fruit notes of cherry and cranberry. Smooth on the palate with raspberry, lovely spices, and structured tannins. A long finish with just a touch of spirit. (91 pts.)
1970 Dow Porto Vintage - Portugal, Douro, Porto(1/26/2024)
Amber-ruby in color. Aromas of red fruit, strawberry, red currant, and light spice. The palate is rich and elegant, showing slight sweetness with light chocolate, cherry, and bright acidity, which feels slightly out of balance. The long finish is a touch dry. (92 pts.)
1970 Graham Porto Vintage - Portugal, Douro, Porto(1/26/2024)
Purple-amber in color. The nose reveals dusty red fruits, cassis, and mocha. The entry is fresh and vibrant with dark fruits like blueberry and dark plum. The flavor profile is elegant and balanced, supported by good tannins and acidity. The long finish has subtle herbal undertones. (94 pts.)
1935 Krohn Porto Vintage - Portugal, Douro, Porto(1/26/2024)
Amber-ruby in color. The nose shows old dusty red fruit, strawberry, milk chocolate, and light spices. The entry is rich and intense, with complex waves of red fruits and spices. The slightly sweet flavor profile is beautifully balanced with firm tannins and well-integrated acidity. Mocha notes add depth to the very long finish. (95 pts.)
1991 Taylor (Fladgate) Porto Vintage Quinta de Vargellas - Portugal, Douro, Porto(1/26/2024)
Decanted 3 hours. Dark amber-purple with dusty brown hints. The nose reveals mint, herbal notes, dark plum, and blueberry. Rich dark fruit on the palate with well-structured tannins and fantastic balance. Red currants and a touch of tartness linger on the medium-long finish (93 pts.)
Eric Menchen wrote: ↑Tue Jan 28, 2025 1:25 pm
I would have hoped for a higher score on some of those, with the Andresens jumping out. But it looks like a fun bunch of bottles.
Those Andresens were bottled 40+ years ago, and it showed. Freshly bottled versions would definitely score higher.
I had scores that were both higher and lower than Stewart's over the weekend, ranging from 85 to 98. I probably shouldn't have bothered to rate the Taylor (New York) at all, and in doing so was probably generous at 85. It wasn't terrible, but it also wasn't good. As Stewart said, no one finished their glass which for me should have probably put it closer to 81 or 82 than 85. My high was the DR L70 at 98, followed closely by the G70 at 97. But I did have 14 wines over the weekend between 87 and 92, with 6 above and 1 below that range.
Eric Menchen wrote: ↑Tue Jan 28, 2025 1:25 pm
I would have hoped for a higher score on some of those, with the Andresens jumping out. But it looks like a fun bunch of bottles.
Those Andresens were bottled 40+ years ago, and it showed. Freshly bottled versions would definitely score higher.
I had scores that were both higher and lower than Stewart's over the weekend, ranging from 85 to 98. I probably shouldn't have bothered to rate the Taylor (New York) at all, and in doing so was probably generous at 85. It wasn't terrible, but it also wasn't good. As Stewart said, no one finished their glass which for me should have probably put it closer to 81 or 82 than 85. My high was the DR L70 at 98, followed closely by the G70 at 97. But I did have 14 wines over the weekend between 87 and 92, with 6 above and 1 below that range.
I asked Carlos about them this past year. They were in the dumpy old bottles. He said bottled in the 60's or 70"s.
Eric Menchen wrote: ↑Tue Jan 28, 2025 1:25 pm
I would have hoped for a higher score on some of those, with the Andresens jumping out. But it looks like a fun bunch of bottles.
Those Andresens were bottled 40+ years ago, and it showed. Freshly bottled versions would definitely score higher.
I had scores that were both higher and lower than Stewart's over the weekend, ranging from 85 to 98. I probably shouldn't have bothered to rate the Taylor (New York) at all, and in doing so was probably generous at 85. It wasn't terrible, but it also wasn't good. As Stewart said, no one finished their glass which for me should have probably put it closer to 81 or 82 than 85. My high was the DR L70 at 98, followed closely by the G70 at 97. But I did have 14 wines over the weekend between 87 and 92, with 6 above and 1 below that range.
I asked Carlos about them this past year. They were in the dumpy old bottles. He said bottled in the 60's or 70"s.
According to my notes, the 1910 was bottled in 1979 and the 1900 was bottled in 1982(?). Not sure where those dates came from unless they were on the labels. My guess is that the 1900's label was difficult to read so we weren't completely sure of the date, but that it looked like it said 1982.
They showed pretty darn good for being in bottle so long. Obviously, as mentioned, fresher bottled ones would show even better. A real treat to try them together!
