1975 Royal Oporto Colheita Port

Mike Kerr · Post by **Mike Kerr** » Thu Nov 12, 2009 7:49 pm

As always, the journey is as much part of the experience as the wine, so to put this TN in context...

I moseyed into Old Town Manassas this evening to check out a wine shop I'd never been to, and ended up picking up a bottle of Altano Reserva 2006 which will be my next TN (and VT) if not tomorrow then over the weekend. After wrapping up there, I walked a block to the best Portugese restaurant in Northern Virginia (that I've been to anyway), Carmello's (it's an Italian-Portugese place). I'd been there before in the summer and their Port selection was down. Apparently they only stock up when they order their top-end wines. The selection was a little sparse this time around as well, mostly low-end Port, a couple of LBV's and a 2000 VP...however I scored a lucky break! They had about 1/3 of a bottle of 1975 Royal Oporto Colheita (bottled 2006) left!

I indulged myself in a $19 glass. Forgive my spotty tasting notes, but I'm going from memory since I didn't have a writing utensil handy. I do recall savouring it over a 20-30 minute period...wanted to get my money's worth...while chatting with the bartender about their Port selections. Forgot to ask how long the bottle had been opened, but I recall him mentioning they'd just got it in two weeks prior.

Colour was a burnt orange in the low lighting they had. Delicate nose, fruity and fragrant, a touch of alcohol, but it was in the background, not unpleasant. The initial flavour blast on the tongue was almost a mocha for the first half-second and then overtaken by chocolate, which intensified for a few seconds and then gave way to dark berries and citrus. Faint orange on the backside migrating into more subtle earthiness. Mouthfeel was juicy, not especially tannic, but the finish was warm and medium-long, longer after each sip.

Wouldn't want to score it until I got back into tasting more ports, but most enjoyable. Not sure I'd buy another glass, but if the price was right I'd pick up a bottle in a heartbeat. Nice bottle too, unique shape, bulbous bottom.

Mike.