For The Love Of Port

I won't post all my notes because I think a future guest article will contain all the sordid details but I will post notes on what I thought were some of the better or more interesting wines.

First off, the 1938 Rocha:
This was bottled in 1998 so it's kind of like a 60 year tawny. A light mahogany color with some sediment. The nose is full of beef bouillon, some coffee and has a madeira-ish / oxidised feel to it. On the palate the wine is round, lush, and sweet. There is noticeable spirit that gets in the way on the palate. Moderate complexity with a medium length finish.

24 hours later, this has cleaned up a lot. The palate has a wonderful texture to it that is very unctuous. Still spirity though. The nose has cleaned up a lot and actually seems less oxidised tonight. I'm also picking up some dates and other hints of dried fruit. 92

Next up, 1978 Rocha:
This was bottled in 2005. A darker mahogany color with a tinge of ruby red to it. The nose is dirty and funky with a strong essence of beef stock. Sweet and simple on the palate, could use a bit more acidity.

24 hours later, the nose has cleaned up some but still seems "off". 87 last night, 88 tonight.

1952 Rocha:
This was bottled in 2005. The color is a dark copper, kind of like a penny from 1983. The nose is deep, and enticing. It's got dried cherries, baking spices, coffee, dates, caramel, and pralines. Good balance on the palate with nice big acidity and even some very subtle tannin. Long finish with a slightly bitter walnut taste.

24 hours later, it is much the same. Still very enjoyable. 95.

1976 Niepoort:
Bottled in 2004. The nose is lovely with some dried cherry, caramel, and praline. Smooth on the palate, full of elegance and finesse. Great balance. A hint of orange peel on the finish.

24 hours later this shows very well. Great mouth feel with very nice acidity. There is some tannin showing on the finish. 93

This was the only Niepoort of the tasting. Based on this one example, I will have to seek out more of their Colheitas.

Kris,

Thanks for organizing a spectacular tasting of Colheitas. I thoroughly enjoyed the evening and relaxed pace. The flights with 11 great bottles, worked out just right for the 8 of us. Stewart is going to be doing a Guest Corner article, for the June issue of the FTLOP newsletter, so folks can wait until then unless you really do want to get your notes out here. I'd suggest you just provide a list of all the wines tried and keep 'em guessing!

Your unbelievable 10 course tasting menu was spectaularly performed and kudos to you and Anne for superb execution. Very impressive and delicious. I think you wowed the crowd to say the least.

As much as I loved the food, the camaraderie with all FTLOPers, the Colheitas ... what I was awestruck by was the amazing lineup of Douro wines we had assembled. Even without the Colheitas, the Douro and dinner would have made for an unbelievably enjoyable night.

Sheer hedonism!

Once again, my sincere thanks for hosting this awesome event.

Kris,

I would like to thank you for hosting this past weekend's "Portathon" (another attendee referred to the evening as a "Porgy"). And to Roy and others for bringing some incredible wines. To say that the array of assembled Colheita's and Douro reds was mind-blowing would be an understatement.
This was a hedonistic evening of food and wine with a great group of people. This event will be hard to top, bit Kris and Roy, I hope you try!

Dave ("johnsondo")

Kris Henderson wrote:1976 Niepoort:
Bottled in 2004. The nose is lovely with some dried cherry, caramel, and praline. Smooth on the palate, full of elegance and finesse. Great balance. A hint of orange peel on the finish.

24 hours later this shows very well. Great mouth feel with very nice acidity. There is some tannin showing on the finish. 93

This was the only Niepoort of the tasting. Based on this one example, I will have to seek out more of their Colheitas.

Thanks for this note on the Niepoort 76 Colheita Kris... I saw a bottle of it recently and as it is the only thing I have come across from my birth year, was very very tempted to pick it up. It sounds like I will be heading back to Beltramos to do just this thing :)

Todd

Todd,

Just FYI, I've never had a bad Niepoort Colheita...some better than others, but no bad ones so far.

Andy - the reputation Niepoort has gained, particularly on this forum for their Colheitas seems to be well-deserved. I am looking forward to trying one. If it was my birth year, that might just make the experience THAT much more sweet!

Todd

Todd,

Trust me that when I say the Niepoort VPs are extremely worthy as well, I have never had a bad one (as Andy said about the Colheitas) and NONE below 90 points that I can remember, and I have had quite a few vintages going back in time.

It is hard to explain, albeit appropos in this thread ... since we discussed it at Kris' home too:

Niepoort makes the BEST white table wines in the Douro (if not Portugal); a sensational full lineup of Douro reds (arguably 2nd to only Q d Crasto); extraordinary Tawny Port, gorgeous Colheitas and unique Garrafeiras AND IS STILL ABLE TO fully concentrate his focus on VPs too, as evidenced by his 1997, 2000 and 2003 VPs (all at the very top of the pyramid in the 3 most recent -aforementioned- generally declared years).

This feat is simply remarkable to me, and there is not a single other Douro producer or Port Shipper that can make the same claim. The fact that Niepoort's VPs were consistent throughout the vast majority of the 20th century, is why I put this producer in MY ranking of "Top Tier" Port producers.

and why Niepoort is my favorite producer overall...Dirk rages

tpettinger wrote:Thanks for this note on the Niepoort 76 Colheita Kris... I saw a bottle of it recently and as it is the only thing I have come across from my birth year, was very very tempted to pick it up. It sounds like I will be heading back to Beltramos to do just this thing :)

Todd

I brought the 1976 Niepoort Colheita to the tasting and it was purchased at Beltramos. I will warn you that a couple of the bottles there appeared to be slight leakers, but the rest were fine.

-Dave-

I may just pick up a couple of cases of the 2003 Vintage Niepoort then. The prices down here make me want to cry... it is so inexpensive compared to home. I wish I could afford a few more (dozen) bottles to bring back home.

I did buy a single bottle of the Niepoort 76 Colheita today, it is in a styro shipper case along with a Vesuvio 94 (amazing price down here! I'm going to have to come back and take a CASE home one day:!:) and my treat to myself... er, wife for her 40th in 10 years: an exalted Taylor '77.

I blew the budget though... (and only made it to one of the two stores nearby before they closed) no room left for Madeira, so the search for a decent one will have to continue at home. But bringing these three examples plus a bottle or two of the Otima 20 yr is exciting enough for now. no more port purchases for at least the next 2 months

Todd

Todd,

your wife is going to send you to the dog house....welcome to the Brotherhood my man 8)

Andy, I think this may just be the first of many trips :) I'd better find something nice for her before I get on that plane on Friday afternoon!
Todd

tpettinger wrote:Andy, I think this may just be the first of many trips :) I'd better find something nice for her before I get on that plane on Friday afternoon!
Todd

One word...YES

Todd

Next time drive. Then, depending on your tolerance for a "little white lie" at customs, you could bring back quite a bit more than you will ever get on a plane going out of the US.

I'm glad you were able to get a Vesuvio 94. Great stuff. As for Niepoort, I think it's fantastic as well. With their Colheitas in the 90's, I greatly prefer the 91 to the 94 or 95. Had this at a tasting at The Wine Club in SF and bought all they had on my way out. A little less fruit and a little more tawny with more secondary (tertiary?) characteristics. very nice in any case.

I'm sorry we could not get together and share some port while you were here, tomorrow is my last day at my present job and I have been extremely busy. The irony is that I have all of next week off before starting my new job :?

Jay