Tasting of 2011 Late Bottled Vintage Ports in Lake Sammamish, Washington
2011 Dow Late Bottled Vintage Port – Dark purple center with purple on the edges. Mostly opaque. Some light floral and herbal notes on the nose. Sweet, unctuous approach was reminiscent of grape soda. Blueberry compote with an interesting spike mid-palate when the tannins overtake the sweetness. Long finish with some residual sweetness. 88 points. 11/17/2016
2011 Quevedo Late Bottled Vintage Port – Bottled January 2015. Very dark purple center with only slight clearing on the edges. Cassis and violet on the nose. Blueberry on the palate with some red fruit. Well-balanced but firm tannins. Just a touch of spirit on the long, well-balanced finish. 93 points. 11/17/2016
2011 Fonseca Late Bottled Vintage Unfiltered Port – Bottled in 2016. Extremely dark purple in color, with almost no opacity on the edges. Slightly subdued noes of dusty dark fruit. Medium-bodied, more elegant style on the approach, with the body expanding on the mid-palate. Red fruit notes on the mid-palate with firm tannins on the long finish. 92 points. 11/17/2016
2011 Quinta do Portal Late Bottled Vintage Port – Dark purple in color with some slight lightening on the edges. Some subtle red fruit on the nose. Elegant, medium-body weight, with some cranberry on the finish. 89 points. 11/17/2016
2011 Sandeman Late Bottled Vintage Port – Bottled in 2015. Extremely dark, opaque purple in color. Violets and some herbal notes on the nose. Intense blueberry and black fruit with pronounced tannins on the mid-palate. Full-bodied, with a long, unctuous finish. Big wine. 94 points. 11/17/2016
2011 Quinta do Noval Late Bottled Vintage Unfiltered Port – Extremely dark purple in color with almost no lightening on the edges. Cassis and some hints of eucalyptus on the nose. Elegant red fruit and notes of pomegranate on the palate. Very long finish with good acidity. 91 points. 11/17/2016
2011 Taylor Fladgate Late Bottled Vintage Port – Bottled in 2016. Slightly “tanky” grape on the nose with some floral notes underneath. Red fruit on the approach with cherry and just a touch of cocoa powder. Long finish. 90 points. 11/17/2016
2011 Graham’s Late Bottled Vintage Port – Subdued nose of slate and dark fruit. Unctuous sweetness with hints of grape hard candy on the mid-palate. The finish is a little short. 88 points. 11/17/2016
2011 Ferreira Late Bottled Vintage Port – Bottled in 2015. Subdued nose with some red fruit and saddle leather peeking through. Elegant but full-bodied on the palate. Intense mouthfeel with blueberry on the finish. 94 points. 11/17/2016
2011 Quinta do Crasto Porto Late Bottled Vintage Unfiltered – Bottled in 2015. Cocoa notes on the nose. Intense blueberry, dark fruit, and a touch of prune on the palate. Nice long finish with great balance. 92 points. 11/17/2016
