For The Love Of Port

a short note from after the 2010 Port Harvest Tour
tasted at the Pestana Port before dinner with 2 couples from Ontario

Ferreira Duque de Braganca 20 Year Old Tawny Port
bottle opened for us the previous afternoon

Considering that the bottle was essentially freshly opened, it was significantly rougher than usual. All the normal flavors were there, but it felt like it'd just flown across the Atlantic or something. Still excellent, but not as satisfying as expected. 90 points.

It was a fun afternoon with some fine Tawny. I didn't mind the Duque nearly as much as you. But the Noval and Sandeman were both really showing well.

I thought it was top notch. Can't imagine a 20 year tawny tasting much better! Enjoyed it much more than the Noval 40.

I didn't have the Duque with you guys on Sunday afternoon - I had it the next evening. I ordered it on Monday because I knew that Pedro had opened a new bottle for us on Sunday afternoon, but it sure felt like it had been open a few days. I can't even blame my palate, because after dinner the 5 of us went to Vinologia and all 4 Ports that I tried there showed very nicely.

What did you have for lunch, and dinner?

Don't remember what I had for lunch, but it was probably a Francesinha. It's also possible that I skipped lunch given how much we'd been eating for the past week! Had the Duque before dinner though, so that can't be the problem.

The defense rests its case.