2004 Quinta do Roriz SQ Vintage Port

[Mahmoud Ali]

On the advice of Andy Velebil that the 2004 Quinta de Roriz was cheap enough to take a flier and try, I opened a bottle tonight. It was decanted about a half hour ago and after a small sip I poured a glass and continued with dinner preparations. My first impression as I decanted was of the depth and beauty of the colour, a deep, dark, blood ruby. In the glass it is opaque with colour right to the rim and coats the glass. The nose is restrained but clearly has depth of fruit and hints of spice and minerals. There is no heat to speak of but there is a floral, ethereal quality that wafts up if you stick your nose in deep enough.

The palate is deliciously seductive, balanced, and very easy to drink. It is laden with rich, ripe fruit up front, is moderately sweet, then follows with dark fruit and ripe round tannins, ending with a long savoury finish. There is some spirit in the palate but it's presence is lithe. If you want to drink a young port this one is eminently drinkable right from the get go. However there is no doubt that there is plenty of depth here, in terms of fruit, structure, and tannins. This is a lovely, elegant port.

Thanks for the suggestion Andy. I will certainly pick up a few bottles.

Cheers ...................... Mahmoud.

[Glenn E.]

Sounds very pleasant! Glad you gave it a try.

[Andy Velebil]

Nice note and sounds very good. Glad you got some. Now get back there quick before someone sees your notes and buys up the lot.

[Thomas V]

Excellent taste note. You choice of words made for a great read and it seems that your game of chance paid off.

It is always fun to try something new and unknown and in this case I think that not many people have had the chance to try this or are still keeping this youngster in their cellar for now. Perhaps after reading your note others will have to pop one open to try for themselves.

[Roy Hersh]

Here was my note from when first tasted very early on. The lowest price on release (avail. in USA) was $65 per bottle:

2004 ~ Quinta de Roriz ~ Vintage Port – Opaque purple with a garnet edge. The Roriz offers a compelling mix of dark raspberry, minerals and a touch of spirit. Although I found this to be surprisingly approachable with lush, syrupy-sweet red berry fruit, it also provided powerful tannins on the finish and showed potential for long term cellaring. The Roriz VPs continue to improve and impress, even in vintages that possess less panache. 750 cases were produced. ~ 93-95+ points ~ (6-28-06)

[Mahmoud Ali]

Nice note and sounds very good. Glad you got some. Now get back there quick before someone sees your notes and buys up the lot.

Andy, your sage advice was taken and I promptly wen and bought the remaining three bottles.

Here was my note from when first tasted very early on. The lowest price on release (avail. in USA) was $65 per bottle:

2004 ~ Quinta de Roriz ~ Vintage Port – Opaque purple with a garnet edge. The Roriz offers a compelling mix of dark raspberry, minerals and a touch of spirit. Although I found this to be surprisingly approachable with lush, syrupy-sweet red berry fruit, it also provided powerful tannins on the finish and showed potential for long term cellaring. The Roriz VPs continue to improve and impress, even in vintages that possess less panache. 750 cases were produced. ~ 93-95+ points ~ (6-28-06)

Thanks Roy, that is the note I saw early on. That is high praise indeed for the Roriz and you were bang on in your prediction that it would be both approachable and have the structure for aging. I had forgotten the reference to the small number of cases that were made in the vintage and to which Andy referred to in the other post where I was asking for advice. On the basis of the $65 release price in the USA it seems that at $31.50 (C$42) I have paid almost exactly half price.

This has been an interesting, enjoyable, and profitable midweek tasting. Thanks guys.

Cheers ........................... Mahmoud.

[Eric Menchen]

I haven't seen the 2004 around, but I have 1999, 2001, and 2005 which I found for great prices in the U.S., $25, $30, and $20 respectively. The first two were from WineLibrary, the latter from a local b&m. I hope the 2004 shows up similarly. Good find for you!

[Mahmoud Ali]

Good for you Eric, and great prices, especially for the 2005 Roriz.

Now, something very rare took place in this household: we did not finish the port in one evening and a small amount remained in the wide-bottomed decanter. The next evening we out at the pub so here we are two days later with two average pours of the '04 Roriz. And it is still very nice. The nose is now much more open and aromatic, the spirit bringing up sweet cherry and hints of spice and nutmeg. The palate has thinned a little, appearing drier now, some of the fruit having dissipated, and the tannins much more evident. Swirling the last sip in the mouth, it is still deep fruited, the tannins grainier, but the finish is long. Very nice.

My verdict, subjective as it is, is that this is a very fine port, equally at home in the present and in the future.

Mahmoud.