10 Year Old Tawny Port by Ramos Pinto Quinta de Ervamoira

[Roy Hersh]

75 degrees and mostly sunny, sitting on the 19th floor roof top deck of the hotel having a meeting with a business contact this afternoon, this was the perfect sipper for the occasion. Coincidentally on my flight over here, Joao Nicolau de Almeida and Sandra Marques both flew over here too.

It was great catching up with Joao, the head of winemaking for Ramos-Pinto that does fine Port and wines like Duas Quintas. He was reluctant to call the 2007 the greatest vintage ever for Douro wines, but said, "that is premature, but without any doubt it is a really excellent vintage. We'll see by the end of the summer how the 2007s turn out, as they are just showing themselves." So Joao, what about 2007 Ports, is the hype justified? "Yes, it was a very special harvest and I believe we'll see lots of companies with 2007."

I introduced Sandra to him and they spoke in Portuguese with a more formal introduction. I had spent a couple of hours talking to Sandra on the flight over while others slept. We'll be together with the group on Monday afternoon and evening after a significant tasting through one of her major portfolios including barrel sampling which is not something you get to do in the lodge too often.

The Ramos-Pinto 10 year old tawny was a light ruby color with bricking on the rim, but visually did not appear to be a Tawny Port. Nice pour too! Gentle and harmonious with a fine bouquet of honey, almond paste and a lemon characteristic. Smooth and enough acidity to carry this well. A long finish with a nut laden aftertaste that headed towards marzipan. 91 points 5-3-08

[Glenn E.]

Your notes on the Ramos Pinto 10-yr Old confirm my memories. This is my favorite 10-yr old, narrowly edging out the Niepoort.

I'm used to the color now, but I must admit it was rather confusing the first time I had it. I wouldn't say that it looks like a Ruby, but as you said it also definitely does not look like a Tawny.