This tasting took place in Seattle, Washington on September 9, 2022. Four 20 Year Old White Ports were tasted blind.
Warm Up Ports
1983 Grahams Vintage Port. 375ml Bottle. Dark amber-purple in color. Nice chocolate and some light menthol on the nose. Chocolate and some dark fruit on the palate, with fine-grained tannins and some jammy BlackBerry. Very long, complex finish. 94 points. 09/17/2022
1991 Fonseca Guimaraens Vintage Port. 375ml bottle. Amber in color with some preliminary Browning. There is some light funk on the nose, reminiscent of Douro Brake. However, the funky nose blew off as the wine got more air. Chocolate and some cherry on the palate. A bit of astringency on the finish. 90 points. 09/17/2022
20 Year Old White Ports
Vieira de Sousa 20 Year Old White Port. 500ml bottle. Golden brown in color with clear on the edges. Tropical fruit on the nose with some vanilla notes. Rich mouthfeel of orange blossom, honey, and bright acidity. There are some burnt toast notes on the finish. 92 points. 09/17/2022
Bulas 20 Year Old White Port. Bottled in 2020. Amber-orange and color with light yellow on the edges. Great vanilla and old oak on the nose. Great richness. Waves of complex flavors on the palate. Despite the richness, there is an amazingly elegant and refined character to this wine. 95 points. 09/17/2022
S. Leonardo 20 Year Old White Port. Bottled in 2021. Dark amber brown in color. Figs and dried tropical fruits on the nose. Rich complex notes of toasted coconut and grilled tropical fruits on the palate. Wow. So much going on here. Wave after wave of flavors. This wine has gravitas and structure. Wow. Wow. 97 points. 09/17/2022
DR 20 Year Old White Port. Bottled in 2021. Light golden-amber in color. Gingerbread and some grilled pineapple on the nose. Orange liqueur, grilled tropical fruits, and wonderful complexity on the palate. The finish on this wine is insane. Great balance and it just goes on and on. 93 points. 09/17/2022
Casual Drinking
Quinta das Lamelas 30 Year Old White Port. Amber-orange in color. Aromas of caramel, orange spice, and vanilla. Rich mouthfeel with bright acidity. Notes of honey, with a very balanced and almost elegant profile, except for the bright acidity. Nice complexity and finish. 94 points. 09/17/2022
1968 Andresen Colheita Port. Bottled in 2019. Fantastic nose of chocolate, tobacco, and rich vanilla. Very rich flavor profile with old oak. Good acidity helps keep the sugars from being too cloying. 93 points. 09/17/2022
