1990 Niepoort Colheita Port

[Andy Velebil]

Bottled in 2001

I took this to a small dinner with some wine friends in my area last night. It was a great time and the theme was pre 1995 Cabernet based wines. There was lots of old California Cabernets and Bordeaux wines that were all amazing, not a bad one in the bunch. There was also one lone 1972 Sebastiani Zinfandel (Sonoma County) that had "Unique Bramble Flavor" on the label. According to the bad label they were explaining to people the Zinfandel grape gives unique flavors of Blackberry. Quite funny to read, I must say. Anyways, on to the Port....

It was a little to dark in the room to get a good color assessment. But the nose had lots of spices, cedar, licorice, and toffee. The palate is a lot thicker than its younger brother, the 1991, and has better complexity, body, and texture. There is lots of carmel, mocha, cinnamon, spices, maple, some smoke, and a hint of vanilla. The finish really packs a punch as it expands on the back palate with lots of acidity, carmel, pencil lead, and a touch of sawdust that keeps it from being to cloying. Compared to its younger brother the 1991, which I've had many many times, this really trumps it. A solid 93 points.
10/23/08

[Moses Botbol]

Bottled in 2001

I took this to a small dinner with some wine friends in my area last night. It was a great time and the theme was pre 1995 Cabernet based wines. There was lots of old California Cabernets and Bordeaux wines that were all amazing, not a bad one in the bunch. There was also one lone 1972 Sebastiani Zinfandel (Sonoma County) that had "Unique Bramble Flavor" on the label. According to the bad label they were explaining to people the Zinfandel grape gives unique flavors of Blackberry. Quite funny to read, I must say. Anyways, on to the Port....

Like this one we plan to open soon?

[Eric Ifune]

I remember the labels of BV Rutherford Cabernets from that era recommending serving the wine with roast beef, roast pork, or game meats.

[Roy Hersh]

But did they have: Unique "Bramble" Flavor?