For The Love Of Port

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 Taylor Fladgate Vintage Port (cask sample)

Day 1
Color: A deep, medium purple with slight red overtones. 3/16" fade at the rim, so pretty standard fare.
Nose: Dusty minerals, mild heat, and a medly of purple fruits.
Palate: Medium sweet with a medium full body, moderate (but fully present) tannins, and moderate acidity. Rich purple fruits on the riper end of the spectrum, followed by a bit of dust or minerals.
Finish: Heat and fruit lead the way, followed by coarse but not too powerful tannins and eventually some grape stem.

Initial score: 87-90 points. The second sub-flight of three started out more promising than the first sub-flight, but I was still feeling like there was something a bit off with my palate.

Day 2 & Day 3 - I didn't taste on day 2 or 3 due to prior commitments

Day 4
Color: The slight red overtones have browned a bit, giving that slight hue a rust-like look. The opacity seems down, though, as the fade is nearly a full 1/4".
Nose: Grapey, earthy, and a bit floral with some minor alcohol and a hint of blackberries.
Palate: Rich purple and black fruits, showing mulberries and possibly some cassis. Good grip and good acidity for the long haul. Body is medium weight, sweetness also right in the middle between dry and sweet.
Finish: Grippy, fruity, and with some nice warmth/heat. A good length, but not head and shoulders above anything else.

Final score: 90-93 points.

Final comments: the reveal didn't surprise me that much, but my score did. I think most of the prominent critics so far have been rating the Taylor Fladgate near the top of the vintage, and while I thought it was very good I just don't see that. I have 3 rated higher and 2 equal just in this group of 9. Tops of the vintage compared to the Vale Meao, Portal, or even the Porto Rocha? Um... no, not a chance. Methinks more critics need to do their tasting blind.

There is no question that blind tasting amongst peer bottles, is the greatest equalizer and humbles many a wine critic.

Glenn E. wrote:Methinks more critics need to do their tasting blind.

Or let them continue their ways, inflating the prices of the Taylors, etc. while those of us in the know buy up the Portal, etc. for a fraction of the cost.