2002 Croft Quinta da Roeda Vintage Port

[J Jackson]

Croft Quinta da Roeda 2002

Opened at home with family.

Decanted for 6 hours (Lots of sediment, obviously well cellared)

Colour: Definitely some lightening during maturing, dark but nice and clear.
Nose: Amazing spiced fruit and citrus in the glass. filling the room. I have never known a port fill the room with the smell of fruit so intensely. Smells like Christmas in a glass!
Mouthfeel: Soft at first, moving to a fantastic warm lingering finish with hints of cinnamon. Alcohol and tannins are nicely in check, this has matured very fast it would seem.
Taste: Soft warm spiced fruit, blueberry and strawberry in particular, hints of Rockrose and a small amount of mint/eucalyptus. Vanilla and a touch of candied citrus peel. Finishing with a long and satisfying finish. No hints of any spirity-ness or too much tannin. A touch of minerality perhaps? Very soft but spicy at the same time.

92 to 93 points.

My gut tells me this has reached it peak and is unlikely to develop much more and should be drunk soon, but I'm rather inexperienced to make such a judgement,

But nevertheless, this is one of the best ports I've tried in a long time.

[Andy Velebil]

Nicely written! This was a tough year in the Douro and not many VP's were declared, but as your note shows there was still some nice things made. Though they will age faster than normal. Which isn't a bad thing as it gives all of us stuff to drink while waiting for our other VP's to mature.