2 fine wines from 2003

[Frederick Blais]

Recently I did open Chryseia 2003 : I was curious to revisit this wine. I had it 2 times in the year of its release and both time I thought this was just too big, unbalanced and greenish tannins. But this time, wow! The wine completely change. That heavy structure turned into a lovely fresh berry fruits with perfectly balanced flavours of french vanilla oak, yummy! The nose was expressive, notes of black fruit and expresso, nothing too big here again, just great expression. The touch on the palate is just as good as it gets, ripe but not flabby with nice acidity coming through up to the finish of tobacco, plums and licorice. My friend did like it so much that he poured the remaning of the bottle even if he was warned about the sediments, he drank all! If this wine can evolve and stay that fresh for the years to come, it will be pure joy to follow! 17.5/20 +? I'll be considering buying more of this wine I had put the break on it recently.

Then last night I had Quinta do Crasto Touriga Nacional 2003 : Probably the 4th time I open this wine, I just so love it! It has not change since the first bottle I did open 3 years ago and I'm really surprise, this should age for a long time at this glacial pace. the nose is still dominated with oak flavours but they are so exotic and decandent, loads of wood spices, sweet vanilla, white pepper, chocolate and of course the plums, licorice,current and red cherries are well present. The entry on the palate is simply great, caressing the whole palate it makes its entrance like velvet with all the pure fruit flavours then building up with the spices giving full body wine before leaving on a lingering finish of fruit, vanilla and pepermint flavours. The balance in this wine is perfect. All the 5 tasters did like this very much, the only complain was a bit too tasting sweet from the americain oak and fruit maturity but they agreed it was just being a bit picky! 18/20

[Roy Hersh]

Great impressions Fred!

How do you like the 2003 version of the Touriga Nacional vs. the 2001? I have kept a pair of those older vintage and only one of the 2003. Just interested in your opinion of they compare as I have not had them side-by-side except for brief tastings while at Crasto.

Roy

[Frederick Blais]

I never had the 2001. They are hard to find wines in Quebec as there is lobbying from ONE portuguese restaurant who wants them all. I only had the 2005(with Miguel) and 2003 so far as I was able to get them in Ontario.

[Pedro Guimaraes]

I had the Chryseia 2003 a short time ago and i was a bit disapointed :? it showed a dumb profile with elements still "fighting" for some position, not that much lenght or complexity...i thought it was igoing through a "funny" phase. Still good to hear such a tasting note as i'm holding a few...

Disclaimer: im not such a big fan of this label or of this vintage...