1997 Souza Vintage Port

[Mike J. W.]

Color: Reddish-Brown, Rim: Light Brown, Meniscus: Medium, Weight (Viscosity): Medium, Nose: Muted, Overripe Concord Grapes trying to break through, Figs, Prunes, A Touch of Spirit on the Nose, Taste: Chocolate (Dark), Honey, Lemon, Pepper, Prunes, Acidity: Medium, Mid-palate, Late, Tannins: Medium, Mid-palate, Sweetness Level: Dry initially and then lightly sweet on the mid-palate, Finish: On Days 1 & 2 Some Alcohol Heat and Acidity on a Short Finish but on Days 3 & 4 the rough edges rounded out, Other Notes: This was about a 7 hour decant and quite honestly, the longer it was in the decanter the smoother it became. This is a Port that you need to be patient on it to fully unfold. It also drinks really, really well with dark chocolate. On Day 1 I would have only given it 88 points, but it improved the next day by a point and on days 3 & 4 this came in at my final score of 90 points.