For The Love Of Port

Well, after having talk about it on another thread 2 weeks ago, I decided to open one tonight to celebrate the start of my unemployement .

It has just been decanted. The color is very deep, almost black with purple rim. Definitively darker than the Vesuvio drank before Christmas. The nose is already awesome, concentrated flavors of plums, very floral(lavender), grapey and sweet dark cherries, everything very intense. The attack is so balanced and charming, very sweet, then you can feel the dry tannins but nothing offensive, the balance stays in with the jammy fruit supporting these bold tannins. The finish is very short right now but the after taste comes rocking with powerfull clove taste, touch of alcool helping there too. We'll let it breathe and I'll do the follow up for you guys when I feel some changes.

Well surprisingly, the Port didn't change that much during the 24hr period it was drank. Las night it was showing some bitter dark chocolate flavours on the nose and the tannins where also getting dryer and bitter. Today, it gain back all its freshness, alcool was gone on the finale, the wine is still holding itself very nicely. Though the ending was still short, the wine is showing nice concentration, tannins and balance that will help him to age gracefully.

Great notes. Hope the unemployment is voluntary and welcome. If not, I hope it is short and a great opportunty comes along soon.

Yes, the unemployement is volontary. I wasn't happy at my job and it was the right time to put one of my project on the table. I can't talk much right now about my future projects but I hope you'll hear about them this summer.

For the Roriz, if I compare it with the Vesuvio, it is much more approchable right now with its floral tones but the Vesuvio was showing more structure and power on the palate. No winner right now, we'll see in 20+ years.

I opened a bottle of this just a few days ago. Here's my note:

• 2003 Quinta de Roriz Porto Vintage - Portugal, Douro, Porto (1/16/2006)
  The color is intensely dark purple. Opaque even at the very edge of the glass. A nose of very ripe fruit, raspberry, blackberry, grape, blueberry. A slight hint of coffee and chocolate. On the palate the tannins seem to have a dual nature. Sometimes very smooth, other times mouth puckeringly bitter. Medium sweetness and enough acidity to balance all the alcohol, fruit, and tannins. Some heat on the nose but very little on the long finish though the finish is warm. (91 pts.)

Posted from CellarTracker

I've just read on the portuguese news that this wine, Quinta de Roriz Vintage 2003, was given 97 points by James Suckling / Wine Spectator.

The Portuguese media even quote the WS saying that this 2003 Port Wine could be as legendary as the Quinta de Roriz 1865 !!

The Portuguese media even quote the WS saying that the this 2003 Port Wine could be as legendary as the Quinta de Roriz 1865 !!

I've read that too! It's probably because he tasted them both after release and probably from cask sample too that someone can acess such a statement.

But seriously... When you think about this for a second, how can someone make such a statement, he probably tasted the wine when it was 120 years old.

My 2 cents :)

Agree with you Fred, but rhetoric sells. At least when I said the Croft 2003 could be as great as teh 1945, it was within 60 years and I bet I've had the '45 Croft more times than Mr. Suckling has had that ancient Roriz. 8)

Of course no-one can compare wines that were made so far apart in time.

This is simply a bold compliment - Roriz was one of the most sought after Quintas of the 19th century that was left languishing in relative obscurity during the 20th.

A new century and a new beginning - as I have said before, I think this is one to watch.

I have already bought cases of the 2000 & 2003 and will buy a dozen 2002 when I can find it at a sensible price...!

Tom