For The Love Of Port

I've always liked older wines and as a result I tend to throw lots of stuff into the cellar, including the less expensive, less fancied wines. Here is yet another example of a smaller wine providing ample pleasure: 1990 Periquita, J M Fonseca, Terras do Sado, 12%.

-Terracotta centre, fading to the rim, lovely mature colour,
-Perfumed nose, smoky, plum, tarmac, and some steely minerality, had I not know what it was I might have guessed an old pinotage. It gets sweeter and more perfumed with time, though still showing smokiness and minerality.
-Clearly a mature palate, sweet tomato fruit, broad, and delicate, followed by a dry, tomato skin, leathery, slightly astringent finish, lovely with food.

There is no telling what will happen with an older wine. The question in my mind is what will the '95 Periquita Classico (the reserva wine) be like with equivalent cellaring.

Cheers...........................Mahmoud.

Mahmoud Ali wrote:I've always liked older wines and as a result I tend to throw lots of stuff into the cellar, including the less expensive, less fancied wines. Here is yet another example of a smaller wine providing ample pleasure: 1990 Periquita, J M Fonseca, Terras do Sado, 12%.

I do the same and Portuguese wines really surpass cellaring expectations. Even cheap Dao’s, 20 years old still drinking fine.

Moses Botbol wrote:I do the same and Portuguese wines really surpass cellaring expectations. Even cheap Dao’s, 20 years old still drinking fine.

Moses,

I'm curious, what Dao wines do you cellar, and what do you consider cheap Dao? Around here, in my neck of the woods, the only Dao available (and they were cheap) were Dao Cathederal, Terras Altas and Grao Vasco. Recently, in the last few years things like Quinta da Garida, Callabriga, and others have appeared on the market. I've tried the the '01 Garida and it was quite good, firm and tannic, appropriate for cellaring I believe.

Mahmoud.

Mahmoud Ali wrote:

Moses Botbol wrote:I do the same and Portuguese wines really surpass cellaring expectations. Even cheap Dao’s, 20 years old still drinking fine.

Moses,

I'm curious, what Dao wines do you cellar, and what do you consider cheap Dao? Around here, in my neck of the woods, the only Dao available (and they were cheap) were Dao Cathederal, Terras Altas and Grao Vasco. Recently, in the last few years things like Quinta da Garida, Callabriga, and others have appeared on the market. I've tried the the '01 Garida and it was quite good, firm and tannic, appropriate for cellaring I believe.

Mahmoud.

We get the Grao Vasco. I just bought a bunch half bottles for $2.99. Udaca and Porta dos Cavaleiros I have found reserva bottles into the 1990's for under $13. Off hand, I can't think of the other brands that are big around Boston, but virtually all of them have local importers. It's actually hard to find a bottle Dao above $15

Funny, last year I was in Porto and I did not think the Dao selection was the must better nor cheaper than what I see around me.

You certainly get good deals over in Boston. And I'm jealous about those back vintage reservas.

Mahmoud.

The Porta dos Cavaleiros I've been buying is 1987 at a crappy liquor store. Right in the Portuguese section of a north shore city I will not name. Elys is going to pick up some more soon.

I like deals.... The other day,not from Portugal, but 2000 Ch. Fortia CdP for $10.99...

Moses Botbol wrote:The Porta dos Cavaleiros I've been buying is 1987 at a crappy liquor store.

Good Grief, to think that a 1987 is my oldest Dao and here you are picking it up off the shelf today.

Moses Botbol wrote: I like deals.... The other day,not from Portugal, but 2000 Ch. Fortia CdP for $10.99...

Shit, that beats my 2005 Guigal CdP for $17 by a huge margin.

I bow in humble respect.........................Mahmoud