For The Love Of Port

After a disapointing bottle 2 years ago, I wanted to drink this 2nd bottle. This time, it was a winner. It is always surprising to buy from the same source 2 bottles of Port that are finally totally different.

Clear ruby color with a slight tawny rim. It took around 30 mins to wash the heat noticeable on the nose uppon decanting. The nose is complex, with flavours of ripe plums, licorice, cinnamon, candied figs and spicy cigars notes. On the palate, sweet candied figs flavours are dominant, the cinnamon and tobacco too, acidity is low leaving a viscous mid palate of good concentration with ripe strawberries, tannins are melted, much balance and a long finish on licorice and spicy figs. 17/20+

This port is starting its maturity plateau with presence of secondary flavours and tamed tannins. It should drink very well for another decade or more. I was suspicious about this Port but this 2nd bottle convince me it is possible to find good ones on the market.

Good note. I bought a case of this from The Rare Wine Company at release for my son's birth year. I have 9 bottles left. All I have tried have been good but it has been a few years.

I’ve had the Niepoort 92 on 3 occasions. The first two bottles were in 1998 and 2000. As you might guess, both of these tastings were quite premature, and in both cases the port was still very dark, brooding, and intensely tannic. Although it was a pretty impressive young port, it obviously needed time.

I had it for a third time in 06 and by then it had evolved significantly. Unfortunately, I don’t have my TN on hand from that particular bottle, but I do remember it well and I would say my impressions were quite similar to yours, Frederick. The tannins had softened a great deal and it was beginning to show some of the same secondary characteristics that you noted – particularly the spicy/tobacco quality that you mentioned, and your notes of fig, licorice and strawberry also sound right on with my recollection.

I’m glad to hear positive reviews of this port as I still have a couple of bottles put away for the future. I’ll probably wait at least another 5 years or so before I venture opening another one.

Thanks for the note! My first VP purchase. Sentimental feelings for me. I have tasted two bottles (too young) and I will keep my hands off the remaining four bottles for at least another five years.

Michael

It is also a special Niepoort vintage for me too. It was the first Niepoort vintage that I ever purchased Magnums of. I have not touched them (of course) but will at some point. I have a few of the 750s too but rarely go near these young pups. I probably will do so one of these days. Nice to see a note on this VP as when I did have it last (not my bottles) it was beside a 1991, which was quite telling.

I agree with Frederick that it is quite interesting to see two bottles purchased from the same source, show totally different. I am not hinting at TCA either. Just bottle variation. I have found that even in VPs that arrived in OWC (original wooden cases).

Thanks for the note. I've always regretted not buying this. I was waiting for the 1994, which never seemed to be available to the general public over here. (The same went for Taylor's.)