2001 Graham Malvedos vintage port 37,5 cl

[Rune EG]

Recently released here in Norway. Also available in regular 75 cl and magnum 150 cl.
Decanted 8 hrs. Tasted thoroughly both at 4.5 hrs and 8 hrs without too much difference. Dark red colour with a purple rim and a tiny hint of brown. Fruit aroma which is actually more the style of vintage ports that are at least ten years older. Medium body. Quite smooth. Limited fruit considering being only 11 years old. Medium length aftertaste. A bit disappointed as I tasted the same port at the Malvedos quinta during 2011 FTLOP Harvest Tour and gave it 91 pts at that time. May be it is the small bottle, but I got the impression that this port has a short future in time. Now only 86 pts.

[Paul Fountain]

That's disappointing Rune. So you don't think it is going through a phase? Like you, I thought the 01 was pretty good when we tried it during the 2011 harvest tour. I actually preferred it over the 04 which everyone else really liked.

[Rune EG]

Coud be that it is a closed phase, but I notice that Graham's is selling this VP in big quantities in several bottle sizes in many countries. Is that because they look upon the 2001 to have already reached it's top level? Or are there other reasons? Would be interesting to know from Symington.