FROM WINExCHANGE IN CA: 1 800 76-WINEX
A Quintet of Top Flight Portos
The leaves are turning and there's a nip in the air...must be Port season. These however are not your ordinary Portos. They are the top performers in one of the excellent vintages of our lifetimes, the best of the best if you will. Here's an opportunity to openly and shamelessly cherry pick the cream of the crop at prices that are essentially the same as their release. Thanks to a couple of recent arrivals this is the best lineup we have had in quite a while, even better than when the Wine Spectator did an article on the vintage back in the April 30 issue this year where they said, " These young Ports—many of them now on the market—are some of the best in years, showing fabulous aromas, ripe fruit and rich, powerful tannins. It's no surprise that early comparisons were made to the legendary vintage of 1994. The 2003 vintage is very, very close in quality. I give it 98 points on Wine Spectator's 100-point scale. (The 1994 vintage earned 99 points.)" The reviews speak for themselves, the holidays are around the corner, and the wines are finite. Good hunting.
TAYLOR FLADGATE PORT 2003
750 = $79.99
Add a case $959.88
Score: WA 98
From Wine Advocate: The 2003 Taylor Fladgate Vintage Port improved each time I raised it to my nose or mouth. It displays a black color and a salty, graphite-laced nose packed with sweet black fruits that is reminiscent of a stellar vintage of Chateau Latour. With air, notes of molasses, burnt sugar, spices, and jammy plums emanate from the glass. Full-bodied, hugely dense, immensely rich, as well as thick, this behemoth is also amazingly balanced and harmonious. Raisins, molasses, licorice, black cherries, plums, and a distinctive note of violets are found in its complex, seamless character. Its interminable finish reveals additional notes of chocolate, kirsch, red as well as black currants, dark cherries, and rose blossoms. Armed with exceptional power, depth, and purity, this Taylor will proudly stand shoulder to shoulder with the finest ever crafted by the Fladgate Partnership. Projected maturity: 2035-2060.
NIEPOORT VINTAGE PORT 2003
750 = $67.99
Add a case $815.88
Score: WS 95
From Wine Spectator: Dark color. Intense aromas of blackberries, licorice and iodine. Full-bodied and lightly sweet, with wonderfully integrated tannins. Long and caressing, yet wonderfully structured. Sexy. Best after 2015. 3,330 cases made.
COCKBURN 'S VINTAGE PORT 2003
750 = $59.99
Add a case $719.88
Score: WS 95
From Wine Spectator: Fantastic aromas of blackberries and tar. Lightly stemmy, which is the sign of a great young Vintage Port. Full-bodied, with wonderfully integrated tannins and a lasting finish. Lots of plums and raspberries. The new 1927? Best after 2012. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. 3,000 cases made.
FONSECA PORT 2003
(Roy's Note: I let WINEX know that they left their pricing off of the Fonseca)
From Wine Advocate: Sporting an opaque, black-colored robe with dark purple trim, the 2003 Fonseca Vintage Port exhibits a nose of profound depth. Its sweet black mass of dark fruit and spice aromas leads to a character of immense depth, richness, and weight. Full-bodied, viscous, and almost impenetrable, this dense, backward port is powerful and exceptionally long in the finish. Possibly the most masculine Fonseca I’ve ever encountered, it coats the taster’s palate with licorice, jammy black fruits, and notes of chocolate that last for over a minute. This blockbuster will require at least three decades to fully blossom. Anticipated maturity: 2035-2060.
CROFT PORT 2003
750 = $67.99
Add a case $815.88
Score: WS 96, WA 93
From Wine Spectator: Gorgeous aromas of blueberries and dried flowers follow through to a sweet, full-bodied palate. Velvety and round, with lovely fruit. Long finish. Best after 2015. 6,500 cases made.
Are you still looking for 2003 Vintage Ports in the USA?
Moderators: Glenn E., Roy Hersh, Andy Velebil
Are you still looking for 2003 Vintage Ports in the USA?
Ambition driven by passion, rather than money, is as strong an elixir as is Port. http://www.fortheloveofport.com
- Andy Velebil
- Posts: 16810
- Joined: Tue Aug 02, 2005 4:49 pm
- Location: Los Angeles, California, United States of America - USA
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Roy,
I was just there a few days ago, to pick up some Niepoort '03 (as I realized I did not have any...problem corrected). They had quite a bit of the Niepoort (I estimate about 15+ cases) and they had just gotten in a ton of the Taylors '03 (liked several stacks of cases about 6' tall)
The Fonseca is $79.99 and $38.99 for 1/2 bottles.
They also have the Fonseca 20 yr old Tawny for $36.99. For the price, its a great 20 yr tawny. I've had it several times and my notes are consitantly around the 93-94 points. A check on Wine-Searcher shows it is one of the cheapest prices around.
Disclaimer: Just a happy customer of Wine Exchange for several years, and a retailer I highly recommend.
I was just there a few days ago, to pick up some Niepoort '03 (as I realized I did not have any...problem corrected). They had quite a bit of the Niepoort (I estimate about 15+ cases) and they had just gotten in a ton of the Taylors '03 (liked several stacks of cases about 6' tall)
The Fonseca is $79.99 and $38.99 for 1/2 bottles.
They also have the Fonseca 20 yr old Tawny for $36.99. For the price, its a great 20 yr tawny. I've had it several times and my notes are consitantly around the 93-94 points. A check on Wine-Searcher shows it is one of the cheapest prices around.
Disclaimer: Just a happy customer of Wine Exchange for several years, and a retailer I highly recommend.
Andy Velebil Good wine is a good familiar creature if it be well used. William Shakespeare http://www.fortheloveofport.com
- David Spriggs
- Posts: 2658
- Joined: Fri Aug 05, 2005 9:51 pm
- Location: Dana Point, California, United States of America - USA
- Contact:
I did check and found the pricing for the Fonseca at:
750 = $79.99
12 bottle case $959.88
Score: WA 96, WS 96
Good to see you guys grabbing some at the low prices.
I had a 10 year old Tawny by Ferreira last night and was wowed by it. I don't say that too often!
Roy
750 = $79.99
12 bottle case $959.88
Score: WA 96, WS 96
Good to see you guys grabbing some at the low prices.
I had a 10 year old Tawny by Ferreira last night and was wowed by it. I don't say that too often!
Roy
Ambition driven by passion, rather than money, is as strong an elixir as is Port. http://www.fortheloveofport.com
- Andy Velebil
- Posts: 16810
- Joined: Tue Aug 02, 2005 4:49 pm
- Location: Los Angeles, California, United States of America - USA
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Can't say I ever remember having the 10 yr old. Although, I love their 20yr old. I will have to pick up a bottle and give it a go.Roy Hersh wrote: I had a 10 year old Tawny by Ferreira last night and was wowed by it. I don't say that too often!
Roy
Andy Velebil Good wine is a good familiar creature if it be well used. William Shakespeare http://www.fortheloveofport.com
- Andy Velebil
- Posts: 16810
- Joined: Tue Aug 02, 2005 4:49 pm
- Location: Los Angeles, California, United States of America - USA
- Contact:
Had that 10 year Tawny by Ferreira over the last 2 night...a great 10 year and worth the price. A definite buy!!
Andy Velebil Good wine is a good familiar creature if it be well used. William Shakespeare http://www.fortheloveofport.com