For The Love Of Port

With the '84 Smith Woodhouse LBV gone a couple of days before I planned, I needed more Port on my only day off this week and this 375ml bottle fit the bill perfectly. I must preface this Port by saying there is a miss conception that this is a Niepoort SQVP. While it is bottled and shipped by Niepoort, and Dirk Niepoort used to have a partnership with Passadouro, this is its own Quinta and is not owned by Niepoort.

Just decanted it and it has a dark plum color that is a little lighter at the edge. The nose is soft and quite approachable at this early stage. It has some blueberries, plums, and just the beginnings of some mocha perceptable. The nose shows no signs of secondary aromas, a good sign for a 13 year old 1/2 bottle. The palate has some good strong tannins and acidity that are balanced by some dark berries. A bit disjointed at the moment, but it it has the stuffing to come round nice in a number of hours. Although I can tell already it will be more of a mid-term VP as it doesn't have the massive structure and fruit that it needs for long term cellaring. The back palate is quite full-bodied but the finish is a little clipped. More later....

Interesting as this has been open about an hour and there is now a large cedar scent on the nose and tobacco on the palate. It almost overpowers the fruit at this point. Hmm, wonder where this will go?

Well this finished up quite nicely. The tobacco subsided into a very complimentary mahogany that overlaid sweet strawberries and tart cherries. There was still some tannins that gave it a nice edge and helped carry the finish. A pleasant Port that should start peaking in another 8-10 years. 88-89 points

Wonderful TN Andy, it comes just in time since i/ve been offered a few 750 ml bottles for € 35. What have you paid for this 375 ml bottle if i may ask ?

Erik

i got it at close out for $7 a 1/2 bottle. i should have bought more, but got some other things instead.

Andy Velebil wrote:i got it at close out for $7 a 1/2 bottle. i should have bought more, but got some other things instead.

OMG that's a steal!

I got a bunch of the Rocha 50th aniversary (a 50 year old tawny port) for $15 a 1/2 bottle instead...now that was a steal and bought all they had.

Andy Velebil wrote:I got a bunch of the Rocha 50th aniversary (a 50 year old tawny port) for $15 a 1/2 bottle instead...now that was a steal and bought all they had.

Wow, that is a steal! It's usually at least three times that that around here, if you can find it at all.

I have to say I wasn't terribly impressed with it compared to their 20-yr old (which runs about $28 for a 375) because I didn't think it was any better and it costs significantly more, but $15 is a crazy good deal!

Andy Velebil wrote:I got a bunch of the Rocha 50th aniversary (a 50 year old tawny port) for $15 a 1/2 bottle instead...now that was a steal and bought all they had.

Andy, you are shure writing these posting from this world? Or is your dealer lord of Port ?

Best
Michael

Michael M. wrote:
Andy, you are shure writing these posting from this world? Or is your dealer lord of Port ?

Best
Michael

I wish, I just spend way too much of my free time online :help:

Andy Velebil wrote:

Michael M. wrote:
Andy, you are shure writing these posting from this world? Or is your dealer lord of Port ?

Best
Michael

... I just spend way too much of my free time online :help:

No, not at all! Carry on doing this great work. We port nuts love you, Andy!