Event: SAMMAMISH TASTING

[Stewart T.]

SAMMAMISH TASTING - Sammamish, Washington (8/29/2020)

• 2019 Quinta do Noval Cedro do Noval Branco - Portugal, Douro
  Pale yellow in color. Tropical fruit and peach notes with some mineral notes underneath. White peach, honeysuckle, and crisp minerality and acidity. (93 pts.)
• 2017 Quinta do Noval Syrah - Portugal, Douro, Vinho Regional Duriense
  Black pepper and some earthy spices on the nose. Full-bodied with great balance. Great body with dusty tannins and a long finish. (92 pts.)
• 2015 Quinta da Devesa Porto Late Bottled Vintage - Portugal, Douro, Porto
  Bottled in 2019. The complex nose revealed milk chocolate, chili spice, chocolate chip cookie dough, grape Nehi, and wintergreen gum. On the palate, there were pleasant notes of boysenberry and black currant. Very nice, long finish. (91 pts.)
• NV Quinta da Devesa Porto Branco 10 Anos - Portugal, Douro, Porto
  Honeysuckle, orange blossom, and caramelized pineapple notes on the nose. Poached pears and tropical notes on the palate. Very nice, long finish with honey, caramel, and citrus. (92 pts.)
• NV Quinta da Devesa Porto Branco 40 Anos - Portugal, Douro, Porto
  The complex nose presented notes of Madagascar vanilla bean, salted caramel, orange blossom, and the earthy notes of fresh-cut cardboard, and cigar box. This is a medium-bodied wine on the palate, with caramel, nuts, and orange spices on the finish. (94 pts.)
• 1987 Niepoort Porto Colheita - Portugal, Douro, Porto
  The first smell of this wine concerned me - I got campfire smoke, a hint of Sulphur, some mustiness, Earl Grey tea bags, and some subtle cinnamon on the nose. However, the odors eventually subsided and gave way to red fruits and cinnamon red hots candy. Red fruit dominated the palate and was underscored by some light spirit. Nice long finish with some red fruits and light spirit. For a rocky start, this wine evolved in my glass into a beauty. (94 pts.)