For The Love Of Port

I am somewhat embarrassed to say that I do not know the smell/flavor of this Port component even though I have enjoyed many Ports over the years. Anyone out there have a good description? I am sure I can place it if I get a description. Thanks!

Hi Jim,

When I use the term Esteva in an occasional tasting note (I found that character often in several 2007 VPs), it is because it reminds me of the smell of the common flower found around the vineyards in the Douro. It is a green, herbaceous scent, fresh, somewhat "stalky" and very slightly minty, maybe a faint whiff of eucalyptus but not powerful in that regard (like some Australian Shiraz impressions). It is not easy to describe the smell of a flower, so I hope that will suffice.

Roy Hersh wrote: It is a green, herbaceous scent, fresh, somewhat "stalky" and very slightly minty, maybe a faint whiff of eucalyptus...

I have tasted and smelled an herbaceous mint and eucalyptus in many ports, but just left it at that. Neat to see they is a more comprensive descriptor that sounds more appropriate to the Douro. Never heard of Esteva before.

Roy

Perfect explanation. I printed for future reference. Thanks. Jim

Esteva is a common flower. In other countries it is called Gum Rockrose or Laudanum. There is a wiki article for it here.

True, the British Port journo cognoscenti use that term first term often. Thank you Alex.

Al
Thanks for the additional details. jim

Moses Botbol wrote:Never heard of Esteva before.

You just don't remember it - it's all over the Douro, and I made a point of finding some to get a first-hand impression of it on the 2010 Harvest Tour.