TN: Croft Porto 2005, Quinta da Roeda; 20 pabv. $31.50 after double discount; 7x750 ml purchased 7/26/2010. Bottled by Quinta and Vineyard Bottlers, Vinhos, SA. (Guimaerens, I think.) Featuring Strawberry Tree label, Arbutus inedo.
I understand that this is now the backbone for the unusually fine recent series of Croft vintage Portos, having been purchased for that purpose in 2001, according to Roy Hersh. I can detect its influence, for example, in the great 2003 Croft Porto.
Cork-finished with what appears to be very high quality five-band closure, with a clear plastic overlay. Very dense purple coloration to edge; viscous and leggy.
A big nose: smoke, cassis, sweet cherry, violet, anise, grassy herb, green tobacco, tea, and plummy vanilla notes on opening.
Richly sweet, dense, mouthcoating, and energetic on entry, with orange sorbet and vanilla flavors, with a good dose of ripe tannins and a rather attractive and high-toned finish. Styled more like a straight 'vintage' Porto rather than a single Quinta, rich, sweet, juicy, and hitting on all cylinders. Expect this to reward considerable cellaring, but to drink well young for those who like to take their Port that way. Drink 2015-2030 and onward.
One of the best Single Quintas I've ever had, although my experience is not extremely deep in them.
Expect this to develop in bottle for three or four days after opening; and so I'll need to add to these notes and perhaps revise the score a bit.
One of the best values in Port I've come across in years. It's styled very much like a great Grahams, but with a bit more sap. Apparently there was an opportunity for DLM to purchase this at a distress sale, and it seems that every bit of it that they could buy was snapped up--probably three six-packs, of which I now have one plus.
Day three:
Still thick and very leggy but shows a little lightening to the edge; not a hue change, however.
Shows an impressive array of both fruit and spice: the spice thyme and hints of clove, edged with vanilla and some elusive, floral, violet, high-toned elements, but the fruit a very ripe plum well-integrated with red cherry, and a good dose of juicy dark currant.
On entry the wine has reigned-in sweetness, full, energetic fruit, and fine, ripe, moderately prominent tannins. It shows the somewhat glossy surfaces common with modern-style winemaking. However, it shows great harmony, integration, depth, and purity.
This is an impressive wine for a single-Quinta vintage, certainly one of the best I've ever tasted, and quite drinkable now with intelligent decanting. I'd say just a hair short of being a soweverhow-stopper, and it has a chance of reaching that plateau, and a nearly unbelievable value. 94/100. In some ways this style coulde begin beating out Graham's Malvedos SQVP for me. There are still six bottles out on the shelf, for those who are in the region. (94 pts.)
Posted from CellarTracker
) a couple months ago to try. After shipping across country I wanted it to settle a bit and I was planning on getting to it later this week or next week for a review. As soon as I do I'll post my note and compare my experience to yours.