2007 Niepoort Vintage Port -- (cask sample)
Posted: Wed Jul 22, 2009 11:31 am
Tasted blind at Roy's house, July 17, 2009. (With a follow-up for the cask samples on July 20, 2009.)
9 Vintage Ports, 7 Tawnies and Colheitas, and 2 Madeiras. 5 guys. 1 night. Port heaven!
Bottle #1: 2007 Quinta do Vesuvio Capela Vintage Port (cask sample)
Bottle #2: 2007 Niepoort Vintage Port (cask sample)
Bottle #3: 2007 Croft Vintage Port (cask sample)
Bottle #4: 2007 Taylor Fladgate Vintage Port (cask sample)
Bottle #5: 2007 Graham Vintage Port (cask sample)
Bottle #6: 2007 Warre Vintage Port (finished bottle)
Bottle #7: 2007 Taylor Fladgate Quinta de Vargellas Vintage Port Vinha Velha (cask sample)
Bottle #8: 2007 Fonseca Vintage Port (cask sample)
Bottle #9: 2007 Duorum Vintage Port (cask sample)
2007 Niepoort Vintage Port (cask sample)
Day 1
Color: A good, dense purple with a bit of a red overtone to it. 3/16" fade at the rim.
Nose: Pungent dark fruit, spirity, and... bacon? ham? Something vaguely meaty.
Palate: Medium red fruits, slightly harsh. Big tannins. Stemmy. It seems dry, with a medium to medium light body. Good acidity.
Finish: Mild red fruits, soft tannins, and grape stem.
Initial score: 85-88 points. The wonky palate was in full force throughout day 1.
Day 2 & 3 - I didn't taste on days 2 and 3 due to prior commitments.
Day 4
Color: A good, dense purple. The extra red tone seems to have disappeared. 3/16+" fade at the rim.
Nose: Dusty pepper, tangy purple fruits, some dry mustard, and alcohol.
Palate: Bright purple fruits, really good grippy tannins, and good acidity. The body is fairly medium, as is the sweetness. There's a faint black pepper note between the palate and the finish, and very pleasant heat.
Finish: Dark chocolate notes, thick tannins, big round fruits, and then some bitterness. Pleasant heat in the early to mid range of the finish.
Final score: 87-90 points. In retrospect I think that's very slightly too low, so call it 88-91.
9 Vintage Ports, 7 Tawnies and Colheitas, and 2 Madeiras. 5 guys. 1 night. Port heaven!
Bottle #1: 2007 Quinta do Vesuvio Capela Vintage Port (cask sample)
Bottle #2: 2007 Niepoort Vintage Port (cask sample)
Bottle #3: 2007 Croft Vintage Port (cask sample)
Bottle #4: 2007 Taylor Fladgate Vintage Port (cask sample)
Bottle #5: 2007 Graham Vintage Port (cask sample)
Bottle #6: 2007 Warre Vintage Port (finished bottle)
Bottle #7: 2007 Taylor Fladgate Quinta de Vargellas Vintage Port Vinha Velha (cask sample)
Bottle #8: 2007 Fonseca Vintage Port (cask sample)
Bottle #9: 2007 Duorum Vintage Port (cask sample)
2007 Niepoort Vintage Port (cask sample)
Day 1
Color: A good, dense purple with a bit of a red overtone to it. 3/16" fade at the rim.
Nose: Pungent dark fruit, spirity, and... bacon? ham? Something vaguely meaty.
Palate: Medium red fruits, slightly harsh. Big tannins. Stemmy. It seems dry, with a medium to medium light body. Good acidity.
Finish: Mild red fruits, soft tannins, and grape stem.
Initial score: 85-88 points. The wonky palate was in full force throughout day 1.
Day 2 & 3 - I didn't taste on days 2 and 3 due to prior commitments.
Day 4
Color: A good, dense purple. The extra red tone seems to have disappeared. 3/16+" fade at the rim.
Nose: Dusty pepper, tangy purple fruits, some dry mustard, and alcohol.
Palate: Bright purple fruits, really good grippy tannins, and good acidity. The body is fairly medium, as is the sweetness. There's a faint black pepper note between the palate and the finish, and very pleasant heat.
Finish: Dark chocolate notes, thick tannins, big round fruits, and then some bitterness. Pleasant heat in the early to mid range of the finish.
Final score: 87-90 points. In retrospect I think that's very slightly too low, so call it 88-91.