Tasting Notes

Amber-ruby in color with some light sediment. Mahogany, dusty library, orange spice, vanilla, and light VA on the nose. Bright acidity, rich flavor profile, and noticeable tannins. Dried nuts, candied orange peel, caramel, and burnt sugar on the palate. Nice long finish with complex waves of flavors – December 23, 2023

Bottled in 2019. Light amber in color. Clear. Clean nose with caramel, vanilla, dried fruit, and very light orange spice. Extremely smooth entry with balanced acidity, orange spice, sweet toffee, and lovely dried nuts. This is such an incredibly balanced wine. Very long, sweet finish with complexity and supple tannins. – December 23, 2023

375ml. Produced in Oregon. 46% Tinta Roriz, 19% Tinta Amarela, 18% Barstardo, 11% Tinta Cão, 6% Touriga Nacional. Nice garnet-purple in color. Sour cherry, blood orange, light cocoa powder, and a hint of cranberry on the nose. Entry of tart red fruits, immediately followed by pronounced tannins and noticeable acidity. There are some unrefined sugars also present on the palate. Rich, full-bodied with the acidity lingering all the way through the long finish. – December 16, 2023

375ml. Produced in Oregon. 36% Tinta Roriz, 20% Tinta Amarela, 16% Touriga Nacional, 14% Barstardo, 14% Tinta Cão. Dark, almost opaque in color with purple some hints of cola. Cool, crushed red fruits with cranberry jam on the nose. Rich, intense mouthfeel with chocolate and red fruit notes, backed by pronounced tannins. Just a touch of bitterness on the very long finish. – December 16, 2023

Purple-amber in color. Clear with some very fine sediment. Dusty red fruit on the nose with light red currant and cocoa powder. Medium-bodied with cranberry, boysenberry, and hints of cassis. Medium sweetness. This is a subtle wine with a medium finish. More elegant style. – December 16, 2023

Very dark, red-purple in color. Cake batter on the nose with some tart and sour red fruit underneath. The buttery nose eventually evolved in the glass into slightly more red fruit notes. Noticeable but not overwhelming tannins riding a knife’s edge of balance that are beautiful and carry from the entry to the end of the very long finish. Red fruits, cranberry, boysenberry, and light notes of dried herbs on the palate. Cranberry and good acidity on the long finish. – December 16, 2023

Bottled in 2013. Very dark amber-brown in color with yellow on the edges. Noticeable VA on the initial nose, with celery, vegetative notes, and some caramel underneath. As the wine got more air, the celery notes blew off a little bit but still seemed slightly off. On the palate, there is burnt sugar, caramel, dried pineapple, and a sweet flavor profile. On the finish, there is still a touch of celery but this is an interesting, funky Port. – December 16, 2023

Bottled in 2022. 500ml. If I recall correctly this blend has 8% of 1888 Tawny Port in it. Clear, amber-orange in color. Salted caramel and dried nuts on the nose. Rich intensity with maple syrup, dried nuts, and light orange spice. Extremely well-integrated and smooth-drinking. Very long finish. – December 16, 2023

Bottled in 2015. Very clear, medium amber-yellow in color. Sweet toffee, some light spirit, and butterscotch on the nose. Smooth entry with a nice sweet flavor profile of dried nuts, Christmas spice, and caramel. Slightly drier style. Nice long finish. – December 16, 2023

Bottled in 2020. Amber-ruby in color. Clear. Dusty dried fruits with cinnamon and nutmeg on the nose. Rich, intense flavor profile with orange spice, bright acidity, and caramel. Great acidity and body weight, making this a real pleasure to sit and sip. It is a smooth, lovely old Colheita with a very long finish. – December 16, 2023

This wine’s score suffered from coming at the end of our tasting of ruby and tawny Ports, as well as the warmer temperature it was at by the time we tasted it at the end of the evening. Clear, light straw in color. Dried fruit, vanilla, honeysuckle, and dried Peach on the nose. It is drier in style, and while I normally get lemon, orange, and dried nuts on this wine, it was lacking both in aromatics and those complex flavors. Still great structure, just not a good showing of this bottle due to its position in the lineup. – December 16, 2023

Dark opaque-purple in color. Fresh crushed blackberries and blueberries on the nose with a light herbal note underneath. Entry is lush and fruity with beautiful dark fruit notes. Mid-palate is well-balanced with good acidity and sweetness. Long finish. Exceptionally approachable Port and really reflects a lot of the quality of the 2011 vintage. – November 27, 2023

Bottled in 2019. Amber-orange color with a yellow rim. It has aromas of caramel, orange spices, and a hint of cinnamon. With noticeable acidity from the entry to the mid-palate, it unfolds a sweet flavor profile, featuring dried nuts and dried orange peel. The very long finish introduces a touch of cinnamon and additional acidity. – November 19, 2023

Bottled in 2012. This Port boasts a dark amber-brown hue. Vanilla on the nose combines with dried nuts and dusty old wood. The smooth entry with good acidity transitions into a mid-palate with a hint of bitterness and a touch of sourness on the low end. – November 19, 2023

Bottled in 2019. Medium amber-brown color with a slight spirit on the nose, complemented by dried fruit. It has a very sweet entry, and the acidity here almost seems like carbonation. It has a long finish with nice acidity. – November 19, 2023

Bottled in 2011. Slightly cloudy tawny brown color. Notes of chocolate, mahogany, molasses, and subtle herbal nuances create a smooth flavor profile with well-balanced tannins. The long finish is highlighted by a nice blend of orange sweetness and acidity. – November 19, 2023

Bottled in 2017. Clear, intense amber-brown center with light yellow and a hint of green on the edge. With light varnish notes on the nose, it has a rich, intense mouthfeel with subtle chocolate, dried fruits, and herbal notes on the long finish. – November 19, 2023

Bottled in 2019. Amber-orange core with a noticeable yellow edge. The nose offers warm spices, old wood, orange spices, vanilla, and caramel. It presents a wonderful sweet flavor profile with caramel, orange spice, dried fruit, nuts, and great acidity. – November 19, 2023

This Tawny Port was created as a limited release to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the Confraria do Vinho do Porto. This wine was blended from old stocks personally selected by David Guimaraens (winemaker at the Fladgate Partnership). It is amber in color with some olive hues. On the nose it delivers Christmas spices, and complex red fruit. On the palate, it has intense red fruit, spice, balanced tannins, and a refreshing finish. – November 19, 2023

Bottled in 2017. Very dark amber hue, almost black. Amazing aromas of burnt sugar, espresso bean, old mahogany, and subtle spices. Intense molasses, brown sugar, and rich intensity on the palate. It has a rich profile that features waves and waves of complex, rich flavors. Crazy long, rich finish. Wow. – November 19, 2023

Bottled in 2021. Orange-yellow color. It has rich, lush aromas of tropical fruit, vanilla, cantaloupe, and pineapple. On the palate, it is incredibly complex, with waves of rich tropical fruits with balanced sweetness and acidity. The finish just keeps going and going. Fantastic structure and richness. – November 19, 2023

Bottled in 2021. Peach-white in color. There are wonderful floral and tropical notes on the nose, with pineapple and white peach. The acidity is perfectly balanced here with the sweetness, giving this wine a thirst-quenching quality that is refreshing and approachable. The very long finish features beautiful honey and light caramel notes. – November 19, 2023

Bottled in 2021, Amber-yellow in color. There are tropical notes and a touch of VA on the nose. The intense flavor profile includes bright acidity and peach, white stone fruits, and tropical notes on the palate. Very long finish – November 19, 2023

Bottled in 2021. Clear, brilliant amber-orange color. Tropical notes on the nose with a hint of maple syrup and dried herbs. The palate is extremely balanced, with spices, white peaches, and tropical notes. There is good acidity from the start to the very end of the long finish. – November 19, 2023

Light amber-brown in color. This wine has a delightful nose with a hint of dill and some of oxidation. Balanced acidity and sweetness accompany dried nuts, salinity, and a nice, long finish. – November 19, 2023

Amber-brown in color. Marzipan and dried nuts on the nose. With a smooth flavor profile featuring bread pudding and cinnamon spice, it concludes with nice acidity on the long finish. 90 points. – November 19, 2023

Amber-ruby hue. Aromas of Christmas spices and dried nuts create a sense of complexity, with intriguing hints of Tawny Port characteristics adding depth. The palate is rich and intense, featuring a delightful array of baking spices and notes of lemon peel. The sharp cinnamon undertones evoke a distinct Vintage Port profile. It has a nice, long finish. – November 18, 2023

Dark purple in color. Cool, crushed dark fruit on the nose dominated by notes of blueberry, dark plum, and blackberry. The palate unfolds with subtle notes of sassafras and there are some slight bitter notes on the finish. Notably, there’s a touch of dryness that adds a sophisticated edge to the overall profile. – November 18, 2023

Corked – November 18, 2023

Very dark ruby hue that remains opaque except for the edges. Aromas of chocolate cocoa powder dominate the nose, accompanied by the inviting notes of black currant and dark plum. Upon the first sip, the palate is treated to a well-balanced flavor profile, where the richness of dark cherry takes center stage. The integration of nice tannins adds structure, contributing to the wine’s overall harmony. The finish is long and well-balanced. – November 18, 2023

Unique aroma reminiscent of bread pudding on the nose. Its dark amber color reveals notes of chocolate and dark cherry. Swirling the wine brings up some funky vegetative notes. Nice structure on the palate, with a delightful combination of dark fruit, chocolate, and well-integrated tannins. Good long finish. – November 18, 2023

Classic older Taylor Vintage Port hue with a dark ruby center transitioning to pink edges. Initially subtle, I coaxed out notes of chocolate and subtle mint on the nose. The palate delivers a rich, intense, and complex flavor profile featuring chocolate, cinnamon, and baking spices, ending in a wonderful, long finish. – November 18, 2023

Dark opaque purple with garnet edges. Bursting with dark bramble fruits and loganberry on the nose, its rich flavor profile unveils primary notes of blueberry, blackberry, and black currant. Fine-grained tannins contribute to the structure. Very long, lush finish. – November 18, 2023

Dark opaque purple with garnet edges. There are enticing aromas of blackberry and blueberry compote with light herbal notes. Fresh crushed dark fruits dance on the palate, accompanied by dusty tannins and a wonderful balance that extends into a long, satisfying finish. – November 18, 2023

Dark pink-purple hue with slight garnet edges. This wine offers a nose of dark, brooding fruit. While it could use a touch more acidity, it delivers a “slurpable” profile with a very nice, long finish. – November 18, 2023

Deep, dark purple garnet in color. The nose offers a mix of dusty fruit, with ripe blueberry, blackberry, and a touch of herbs. On the palate, it’s like indulging in a blackberry cobbler, with a smooth and well-balanced character, showcasing good tannins. Lovely, long, jammy finish. – November 17, 2023

Bottled in 2023. It has an inviting amber-orange color and light yellow edges. On the nose, it’s a delightful mix of caramel, vanilla, and subtle spices, reminiscent of a barrel room in Villa Nova de Gaia. This full-bodied Tawny Port offers a satisfying experience with well-integrated tannins and a touch of bitterness on the long finish. – November 17, 2023

Bottled in 2023. Amber-orange in color. Its aromatic profile features grilled pineapple and guava notes. The entry is rich and intense, and the palate evolves into a remarkable flavor spectrum of dried nuts, dried herbs, caramel, and honey. It has a harmonious balance with vibrant acidity. – November 17, 2023

Deep, luxurious purple with a slight garnet rim. The viscosity is apparent as the wine gracefully coats the glass. Chocolate, lush dark fruit and light red currant. A touch of oxidation on the approach with lively acidity and noticeable tannins. Old dusty fruit notes on the medium-long finish. With more time in the glass, aromas of mushrooms, prune and sassafras appeared, and the group thought this bottle was a little off either through excessive oxidation or perhaps the faintest hints of TCA. – October 14, 2023

Dark purple color with purple on the edges. Eucalyptus, mint, and chocolate notes on the nose. Noticeable acidity on the palate. Ripe dark fruit, jammy and lush. Nice balanced tannins on the mid-palate. Tanins roll through to the very long, rich finish. – October 14, 2023

Fairly clear with purple and light rose on the extreme edge. Earthy, chalky, dusty slate on the nose. Sweet flipper profile with cherry candy, light spirit, and some nice acidity. Good balance on the long finish. – October 14, 2023

Dark amber cola in color. Cola, light chocolate, and some light spirit on the nose. Wonderful, well-balanced, sweet flavor profile with Pez candy. Bright acidity and structure, and just a great long finish. – October 14, 2023

Clear with medium purple tones. Dark fruit with just a hint of Bramble fruit. There is a really great complexity here on the palate, but at the same time it drinks like a smooth, well-integrated wine. The finish has a nice crescendo and fruit and balanced acidity. – October 14, 2023

Nice amber-ruby color. Chocolate and fresh crushed red fruit on the nose. Rich and luscious on the entry, with tannins present but nicely integrated on the palate. The balance here is really nice, sitting just on the edge of intensity, but maintain its balance. – October 14, 2023

What’s not to love about this wine. Amazing vanilla and old dusty wood notes on the nose. On the palate are complex layers of Creme brulee, caramel and orange spice. It is rich and decadent, backed by are focused acidity. The finish comes at you in waves of complexity, with the acidity riding shotgun on the very long finish. – October 14, 2023

From South Africa. Umami, graham cracker and spirit on the nose. Rich sweet flavor profile but really nicely balanced. The acidity has help this wine hold up well, and it has a long finish. – October 14, 2023

Cloudy appearance. There is chocolate, dried nuts, warm spices and spirit on the nose. It has a medium-sweet flavor profile, with a touch of saline, orange spices and more dried nuts. The acidity is bright, and it has a long finish. There is just a touch of walnut-skin bitterness on the finish. – October 14, 2023

Amber-orange in color. Caramel and burnt sugar on the nose. Really bright acidity and the palate has some pleasant notes of Asian spices, burnt sugar and really nice acidity. Very long finish. – October 14, 2023

Clear, dark ruby with slight pink grapefruit on the edges. Red fruit with strawberry and some pleasant light Christmas spice notes on the nose. Warm, smooth, well-integrated flavor profile with red cassis and strawberry. Mouth-coating richness with nice warm spices. This wine is supple and almost elegant, but you can get a sense of power lurking just behind the scenes. A great, long finish. – September 16, 2023

Ruby-purplish-brown in color. Slightly cloudy. Violets, chocolate, and a touch of dried fruit (especially prune) on the nose. Very rich, powerful entry with fantastic balance on the palate. Great fresh, crushed dark fruit backed by chocolate and some subtle herbal notes. There is a rich intensity here that makes this wine so very drinkable, but not at the expense of quality or structure. – September 16, 2023

Unfiltered. Very dark ruby, almost opaque in the center with garnet on the edges. Intense chocolate on the nose with dried red fruit, leather, and light woody notes. Chocolate mixes with cranberry on the palate with some very pleasant, dusty tannins on the long finish. – September 16, 2023

Bottled in 2019. This White Port came from one of the Armazéms (warehouses) hidden away in a small town in the Douro Valley. This Port was reportedly last topped off in the early 2000s. Clear golden orange-yellow. Salted caramel, marzipan, and dried apricots on the nose. There is a ton of vanilla cream on the entry, with maple syrup and some light tropical fruit notes, typical of White Ports. The acidity was slightly out of balance compared to the last time I tried this. – September 16, 2023

My oh my. Bottled in 2019. Dark orange-brownish with some tinges of red. Not normally the type of color you see in a White Port, but the older it gets, the more the color deepens. Vinegrenio and grilled pineapple on the complex nose. Extremely viscous with a very sweet, complex flavor profile that delivers waves of tropical fruit with honey and orange. Insanely long finish (feels like minutes) with interesting and complex notes riding the crests of the continued waves of flavor. Beautiful, beautiful wine. – September 16, 2023

Decanted four hours. Amber-ruby in color. Light herbal notes and some hints of vanilla. Well-balanced entry with firm tannins on the palate and notes of chocolate and dark fruit. Nice balance and structure on the medium-long finish. – July 3, 2023

Bottled in 2018. 500ml bottle. Dark amber-caramel in color. Aromas of orange spice, vanilla, and light hint of lemon floor polish. Some ethereal caramel notes – lively and rich like you get when watching someone hand-make caramel in a candy store. Rich entry with good balance and acidity. This has some age but seems to lack a bit of a structure. – July 3, 2023

Bottled in 2015. Light amber in color. Slightly cloudy. Vanilla cream on the nose with some light orange spice. Well-balanced acidity and sugar. Just a slight vegetative note. There is an interesting lemon note on the long finish. – July 3, 2023

Bottled in 2020. Dark amber in color. Light teak wood, orange spice, and molasses on the nose. Viscous mouthfeel with great, concentrated notes of roasted nuts and caramel. Very pleasant, slightly sweet profile on the very long finish. – July 3, 2023

Clear amber-orange in color. Orange spice caramel and a touch of VA on the nose. Good acidity on the entry with orange spices, dried nuts, and some light caramel. Full-bodied with a slightly sweet profile but overall great balance – July 3, 2023

Dark Ruby in color with some bricking. Black current and some light herbal notes on the nose. Rich entry with cranberry and good acidity. There are some nice, fresh-crushed blueberries on the mid-palate, and a lush, long finish. – May 27, 2023

Dark amber in color with light magenta on the edge. Christmas spice with just a touch of alcohol on the nose. Bing cherry on the entry with a nice balance. Good sweetness with good structure through the nice, long finish. – May 27, 2023

Light amber with a medium ruby edge. Shy nose. I was able to coax out some subtle spice and dried red fruits. The palate has an underlying richness that is pleasant, although there is noticeable tartness and some pronounced tannins on the end of the palate. The tannins carry through the long finish. – May 27, 2023

Dark ruby color with light garnet on the edge. A little mustiness on the nose with dusty red fruit and a touch of cocoa powder. Medium-bodied with a touch of tannins on the medium-long finish. This is a smooth wine with just a touch of heat on the finish – May 27, 2023

Ruby in color. Chocolate and some wonderful dried fruit notes on the nose. Interesting rich profile on the palate with ripe blackberry and blueberry. Great structure and balanced tannins. Good acidity on the finish. The tannins need to settle down a little bit on this wine, but otherwise, this is a fantastic wine. – May 27, 2023

Dark Ruby in color with light magenta on the edge. Dark fruits on the nose, with some light herbal notes. Freshly crushed blackberries and blueberries on the palate. Well-balanced and super young. Long finish. – May 27, 2023

Dark Ruby in color. Boysenberry and cranberry on the nose. On the palate, there isn’t a lot of complexity – mostly monolithic dark fruit and some unusual fruit notes. This is being tasted blind, but I immediately wondered if it was even Portuguese. While not unpleasant to drink, there is something missing here. – May 27, 2023

Dark Ruby in color. There are some slight hints of pool chlorine on the nose with some subtle dark fruit. Tart cranberry on the palate with some chocolate and some coarse, unrefined tannins. Medium-long finish. – May 27, 2023

Medium purple in color. Floral notes, cassis, and red fruits on the nose. Nice entry with some primary blackberry and black plum on the palate. Great structure, with well-balanced tannins and acidity. Long finish with some dark fruits and chocolate notes arriving late. – May 27, 2023

Medium purple-amber in color. Light woody and herbal notes on the nose, backed by a nice red fruit profile and some light spirit. On the palate, there are lemon and tart red fruits. It is full-bodied with a touch of bitterness on the finish. – May 27, 2023

Spectacular nose on this wine – vanilla, oak, cranberry, and black cherry. The palate is well-structured, with the tannins, acidity, and sweetness all playing nicely together. Pomegranate, black currant, and dried fig on the palate. Nice long finish. There’s a little bit of bitterness on the tail end of the palate. – May 27, 2023

Dark ruby in color. Rich nose of dark fruit with boysenberry, blackberry, and dried herbs. There are intense tannins on the entry, with boysenberry, black cherry, and just a hint of spice. The concentration is impressive, although this particular bottle could have used more decant time or more time in the bottle. There is still a significant aging upside. – May 27, 2023

Dark, extracted purple-ruby in color. Anise, black licorice, plum, and some light herbal notes on the nose. Rich palate with lush boysenberry, cocoa powder, and plum. Elegant and approachable wine with smooth tannins on the long finish. – May 27, 2023

Purple-magenta in color. Expressive nose of violets, spices, lush dark fruits, and fennel. The palate is well-balanced with mocha, raspberry, and spices. Spices and cassis arrive late on the very long finish. Well-balanced with good acidity. – May 27, 2023

Medium-dark ruby in color. Pleasant cocoa powder, red fruits, pomegranate, and light spirit on the nose. The spirit also shows up on the palate, along with raspberry jam and cassis. The finish has noticeable acidity and there is still that touch of spirit. – May 27, 2023

Medium garnet in color with some bricking. Aromas of red currant, mocha, huckleberry, and black licorice. Full-bodied, with boysenberry, lingonberry, and some chalky tannins. The first sips come across as an easy-to-drink Port, but the acidity seems just slightly out of balance. With more air, this is showing more and more like an off bottle. N/R – May 27, 2023

Bottled in 2020. Orange-amber in color with pale yellow on the edges. Dried fruit, nuts, and salted caramel on the nose. Intense entry with noticeable acidity. Lime, saline, caramel, and orange spices on the palate. There is just a bit of bitterness on the end of the mid-palate. Long finish with noticeable acidity. – May 27, 2023

Bottled in 2019. Dark amber with a tinge of brown and yellow-green on the edge. Lime, vinagrinho, and sweet toffee on the nose. Massive rich flavor profile with lime, crème brulee, and cocoa powder. The mid-palate and long finish show off a ton of citrus, good acidity, and nice complexity. Extremely long finish – May 27, 2023

Bottled in 2021. Amber-brown in color with a hint of yellow on the edge. Some light woody notes with vanilla, caramel, and smokey notes on the nose. There are molasses, dried figs, chocolate, and dates on the palate. Smooth flavor profile with a very long finish. – May 27, 2023

Bottled in 2017. Clear amber-orange in color. Cocoa powder, espresso, caramel, and dried fruit on the nose. Noticeable acidity on the palate with vanilla, caramel, and baking spices. It has a very long finish, with bright acidity. – May 27, 2023

Bottled in 2022. Brown-amber in the center with orange-yellow on the edges. There are some light woody notes on this with maybe a touch of VA. It has a very rich mouthfeel, although there is some bitterness and acidity on the palate. Even though I have had better showings of this wine, it is still a remarkable, beautiful Port. – May 27, 2023

Bottled in 2018. Sweet nose of confectioner sugar, caramel, and some light woody notes. Incredible rich flavor profile with beautiful sweetness, complexity, and balance. Waves of flavor crash through the mid-palate with salted caramel, molasses, toffee, espresso, and butterscotch. Rich caramel and honey on the long finish. – May 27, 2023

Bottled in 2021. Amber-golden color. Beautiful nose of honey and caramel. On the palate, there is honey, grilled pineapple, and dried nuts. The acidity is superb in this wine, making it refreshing while retaining fantastic structure and richness. It has a very long, balanced finish. – May 26, 2023

Light amber in color. Notes of plum, ripe red fruits, and a touch of spice on the nose. Extremely rich flavor profile with Christmas spices and great acidity. Very long finish with just a touch of spirit. – May 26, 2023

Dark yellow orange in color. Oxidize vanilla and caramel on the nose. Incredibly rich, concentrated notes of dried fruit, grilled pineapple and noticeable tannins popping up in the mid-palate. Very long finish with oxidized notes. – May 19, 2023

Light amber in color with some visible sediment. Red fruit on the nose with herbs and just a hint of that characteristic dirty note that is common with wines of this era. This is usually picked up from the aguardiente that producers were required to buy from the IVDP. Medium bodied with pleasant, simple profile that is easy to drink. – April 29, 2023

Amber orange in color. There’s some noticeable oxidation and a touch of VA on the nose with some vanilla notes just underneath. Surprisingly, there is less oxidation on the palate with sweet notes of honey, caramel, and refined sugars. Smooth, medium-bodied with sweetness and light acidity on the finish. – April 29, 2023

Crushed blueberry and blackberry with floral notes and just a hint of mint. Entry is powerful, lush, and mouthcoating waves of blue fruits, and a rich texture and complexity. The mid-palate sings with an intricate dance of fruit and tannins, and the very long finish just underlines how powerful yet balanced a wine this really is. – April 29, 2023

Bottled in 1973. Amber-orange in color. Some old oxidized notes on the nose but also some wonderful dried fruits and some Madeira notes. Rich, red fruit notes with some spirit and acidity present on the palate. Nice long finish. – April 29, 2023

375ml bottle. Amber-orange in color. Oak and caramel on the nose. Saline, dried nuts, and caramel on the palate. Nice acidity with noticeable sweetness and good structure. – April 29, 2023

Bottled in 2022. Blend of the two Component wines from 1973 that were aged in tonnels right next to each other. Caramel and honey on the nose. Yellow golden color. Balance sweetness and good acidity on the wine. Nice long finish. – April 29, 2023

Amber orange in color with just a slight tinge of pink. Red fruits and some light alcohol on the nose. Rich red fruit with some heat on the palate. Nice sweetness with just a touch of bitterness on the very end of the finish. – April 29, 2023

Dark amber in color with slight orange on the edge. Dark chocolate and some dark fruit on the nose. Beautiful rich flavor with touches of cinnamon, red fruit and light herbal notes. Great long finish. – April 29, 2023

Bottled in 2004. Cloudy appearance. Rich dusty fruits and a touch of heat on the nose. Great acidity and brightness. Good intensity with lime, citrus, and caramel on the palate. The finish is surprisingly wonderful and long. – April 29, 2023

Bottled in 1986. Amber orange in color. Bright nose of caramel, cassis, and candied orange. Great balance on the entry, with a clean, sweet flavor profile. Brown sugar and caramel notes on the palate. Great long finish with balanced acidity. – April 29, 2023

Bottled in 2022. Amber-orange in color. It has a really fantastic structure and flavor profile. Great balance, good acidity, and complex flavors of orange spices, nuts, and dried fruit. Very long luxurious finish. – April 29, 2023

Amber-brown in color. Cloudy. Chocolate and some rich sweetness and structured tannins on the palate. Great balance and complex flavor profile. A touch of heat right at the end of the palate but otherwise a fantastic wine with very long finish. – April 29, 2023

This is a while that has a bit of controversy in its history. I’ve heard several stories regarding this wine, and as best as I can piece together (nothing has been verified), this is supposedly a Niepoort Colheita bottled in 2001, but I have also heard that this wasn’t actually a Niepoort wine, just that Niepoort did the bottling. Dark amber-purple in color. Great nose of old dark fruit with maple and old dusty wood on the nose. Rich butterscotch and orange spice on the palate, with exceptional balance and stunning intensity. Wow! Great complexity and a very long finish. – April 29, 2023

Decant time six hours. Dark purple in color with bricking. Complex aromas with floral notes with milk chocolate on the nose. Rich intense entry with some good acidity. The mid-palate is pleasant with just a touch of black pepper on the finish. – March 18, 2023

Dark, almost impenetrable purple in color. Crushed blueberry and blackberry on the nose with some light estava and chalky minerality. Big tannins on the entry with chocolate and dark fruit flavors on the very long finish. – March 18, 2023

Dark purple with fuchsia on the edges. Violets, blueberry, and a whiff of granite lagar on the nose. It is smooth on the entry but it is very rich on the palate. This is just a touch of weirdness that I initially thought it might be some TCA, but it blew off after a little air time. Some chocolate and a little bit of sourness on the very end of the finish. – March 18, 2023

Bottled in 2021. Dark amber-brown in color with yellow edges. Tropical fruits, honey and oak on the nose. Smooth notes of caramel, honey, vanilla, and light brown sugar on the palate. Very smooth. – March 18, 2023

Amber-orange in color. Vanilla caramel on the nose. Very intense entry and complex palate with grilled tropical fruit, some torrefacted sugars, and honey. There is bright acidity and a very long finish. – March 18, 2023

Bottled in 2019. Dark amber-orange in color. Wonderful caramel, vanilla and brown sugar on the nose. Rich entry, with caramel and wonderfully smooth flavor profile. This wine always has an amazing balance between the sweetness and lively acidity. This seems much younger than a 40 Year Old Tawny Port. – March 18, 2023

Decanted 3.5 hours. Amber brown in color. Aromas of chocolate, herbal notes and some very light red fruit notes. Rich red fruit on the palate with nice complex mouthfeel and great balance. This is one of the better bottlings of this wine that I have had in a while. Really drinkable. – February 18, 2023

Bottled in 2008. Dark ruby in color. Aromas of wintergreen and some light apple and pear notes. Smooth entry of well-balanced red fruit, with tannins ramping up in the mid palate. Medium-long finish with bright acidity, and just touch of cloying sweetness right at the tail end of the finish. – February 18, 2023

375ml. Bottled in 2015. Dark purple with some garnet on the edges. Some aromas of primary fruit and an old dusty library. Intense primary fruit with massive tannins, blackberries blueberries, and cassis. Long finish with chocolate and a touch of cloying sweetness. – February 18, 2023

Amber in color with slight pink hue on the edge. Subtle nose of light red fruit, rose petal, red currant, cinnamon and a hint of spirit. Bright red fruit and strawberry notes on the palate. Some slightly sour notes on the very end of the finish. – February 18, 2023

Amber brown in color with fine wisps of sediment in the bottom of the glass. Some spice, woody notes and some red fruit notes. Balanced red fruit with notable acidity on the mid-palate. Medium long finish. – February 18, 2023

Bottled in 2022. Amber orange in color. Notes of oak, vanilla, caramel, and orange spice on the nose, along with some great dusty notes. Dried nuts and marzipan on the palate. There is some dried almond skin bitterness that carries from the mid-palate through the finish. This could use a little more sugar to offset the bitterness. More savory in style. – February 18, 2023

Bottled in 2021. Clear amber orange in color. Caramel orange spies and dusty wood notes on the nose. Notable oxidation on the nose as well. Nice intense richness and mouthfeel with light cinnamon, caramel, and vanilla. Good acidity on the long finish – February 18, 2023

Ruby purple in color. Cool crushed blueberries and cassis on the nose with some light herbal notes underneath. The entry has massive tannins with some spicy notes and dark fruits – blackberry and dark plum. The palate is dark and brooding and there is noticeable acidity on the very long finish. – January 21, 2023

Dusty ruby in color. This wine has rich aromas with hints of strawberry, cranberry, and herbal notes. It has a smooth flavor profile on the entry with tannins ramping up on the mid-palate. The palate has cassis and a touch of cinnamon. There is a bit of spirit on the long finish. – January 21, 2023

Dusty amber-brown in color. Rich red fruit and some spirit on the nose. It has a well-integrated, rich profile of boysenberry with some fine tannins. Very long finish with just a touch of spirit on the tail end of the finish. – January 21, 2023

Light Ruby in color. Aromas of cranberry, spices, grenadine, and a touch of spirit. It has a very smooth, slightly sweet flavor profile with red fruit and some herbal notes. It is medium-bodied with balanced tannins and a nice long finish. – January 21, 2023

Amber in color. Red fruit notes with strawberry and red cherry on the nose. There may be some low-level TCA on the nose. However, nothing on the palate suggests TCA. There are plum, strawberry, and red hots on the palate. It is medium-bodied and seems just a touch disjointed, though it remains a nice, solid wine to sip. There is some spirit on the long finish. – January 21, 2023

Aromas of red currants and cassis with some floral and herbal notes underneath. The palate is very well-balanced with rich dark fruits, boysenberry, and cassis. The tannins are also well-balanced. There is a great long finish. – January 21, 2023

Red fruit and Christmas spice on the nose with a touch of spirit. The wine is warm on the palate, with plum and dusty raspberry notes. It has great complexity and well-rounded tannins. The long finish exhibits a hint of spirit, but otherwise is long and pleasant. – January 21, 2023

There is just a touch of oxidation on the nose, along with cranberry, red currant, and some baking spices. The palate is a pleasant, complex mix of red fruits and dried herbs, but still retains a luscious quality it. While there is good acidity and balance at the beginning of the very long finish, the sweetness starts to fade slightly, resulting in a wine that feels a little drier in style. – January 21, 2023

This wine is believed to be from the mid-1800s. This Madeira came from a demijohn that was part of the Liberty Hall Museum discovery in 2015. Liberty Hall, located on the campus of Kean University in Union, New Jersey, was home to many prominent historical figures, including Alexander Hamilton. It began its conversion from a residence to a museum in 1949. As part of renovations in 2015, a wall was removed and a treasure trove was discovered – cases of Madeira from 1796, gin, whiskey, and other liquors. Forty demijohns of Madeira from the 1820s were also discovered in the attic. Some of the collection went up for auction at Christie’s, and my friend Eric managed to win a half-full, five-gallon demijohn of Madeira that simply had an attached label that read “Old Madeira.” All of the other bottles in the collection were from around the mid-1800s, so that is likely also the age of this wine. Eric provided a sample of this wine to a well-regarded Madeira producer, who thought it was likely a blend of Verdelho and Sercial grapes. Aromas of dried nuts, saline, and dried orange slices. This is a medium-dry style with lively acidity and good complexity. The wine has a rich flavor profile, with toasted nuts, dried figs, orange spices, and a touch of almond skin bitterness. Great long finish. This wine is surprisingly smooth for a Madeira this old – not the concentrated, reductive characteristics that are common for Madeiras with this much age. – January 20, 2023

Dusty ruby in color. On the nose there are notes of peanut brittle, savory wood, “new” cardboard, and perhaps just a touch of VA. The odd nose, however, didn’t detract from the rich, full-bodied palate of luscious cranberry, red fruit, and blueberry. The approach has great structure and balance. It has a very long finish with dark fruits, chocolate, and subtle spice, but the sweetness fades on the tail end of the finish and resolves into a drier style of wine. – January 20, 2023

Aromas of blueberry and some bramble fruits. On the entry, there are smooth, rich notes of blueberry and a touch of cassis. The palate expands with more dark fruits, black cherry, and fennel. This wine has a very long, rich finish. – January 20, 2023

The nose is slightly closed, but I could coax out some touches of chocolate and a bit of black fruit on the nose. It has a rich palate filled with dark fruits and rich herbal notes. The tannins are firm but well-integrated, giving the wine a good structure and a long, smooth finish. – January 20, 2023

The wine is a cloudy amber-brown in color. It has aromas of cinnamon, spices, red fruit, and umami notes. There are rich red fruit on the palate with strawberries, red currants, and some light herbal notes. It has wonderful complexity and balanced sweetness. The tannins are also well-balanced, and this is drinking like a rich but elegant wine right now. This might be the best bottle of Royal Oporto that I have had in some time. – January 20, 2023

Sadly, this was corked. – January 20, 2023

Amber ruby in color. Aromas of dusty red fruits with strawberry and boysenberry. It is a full-bodied wine, with well-integrated red fruits on the palate. The tannins are noticeable on the mid-palate, but the wine retains a rich and complex flavor profile. Nice long finish. – January 20, 2023

Cask sample. 116 g/l residual sugar. 6.2 g/l acid. 20.4% Alcohol. This White Port probably came from the 1970s. Orange amber in color. Dried herbs, dried nuts, and a touch of oak on the nose. This wine has a good balance on the palate, with just a spike of acidity appearing on the mid-palate. Really nice balance overall. A touch of acidity briefly returns at the tail end of the big, long finish. – January 12, 2023

Cask sample. 235g/l residual sugar. 5.9g/l acid. 21% alcohol. This wine came from some time in the 1970s. It spent the first 20 years in tonnels (large casks), and then 25 years in 600-liter pipes (barrels). Very dark brown, amber in color with yellow on the edges. Touches of saline, lime, and a hint of spirit on the nose. Wonderful, sweet profile with caramel and some candied tropical fruits. – January 12, 2023

Cask sample. 110 g/l residual sugar. 5 g/l acid. 19.4% alcohol. This wine came from the late 1970s. Dark brown orange in color. It has a nose of candied nuts. The wine has a bit of a red tint because it was aged in repurposed Tawny Port casks. There is a good tannic structure here, likely because of the sediment that was left in the barrels from the previous Tawny Port. Approximately 5% of the sediment from the Tawny aging was left in the barrel to age this White Port. There is a great flavor profile of caramel, but the acidity is pronounced on the finish. – January 12, 2023

Cask sample. 126 g/l sugar. 5.1g/l acidity. 20.6% alcohol. This wine came from the early 1970s. Amber brown in color. Salted caramel and dried nuts on the nose. Very rich flavor profile with amazing vanilla caramel, dried nuts, and just a hint of acidity. Incredibly balanced profile with a touch of bitter herbs right on the finish. – January 12, 2023

Cask sample. 100 g/l sugar. 4.7 g/l acid. 19.5% alcohol. It is about 40 years of age, and most of this blend came from the late 1970s. Very dark tawny orange in color. It has a nose of old wood, sweet caramel, and dry herbs. This is the driest of the wines that were tasting tonight. Less than 100 grams per liter of sugar. Lowest and total acidity. It was never aged in a cask but spent its life in a large chestnut balseiro (vat). This is a little drier style than I typically like, but there is a lot to love about this wine – richness, complexity, depth, and a great, long finish. – January 12, 2023

This Port style is reminiscent of the Ports made in the 1940s for troops in tropical climates where quinine was added to the Port to ward off malaria. It has a nose of vanilla and Dipstick stick (similar to confectioners’ sugar). This is a unique wine that has been engineered to be drinkable. Touch of vanilla and vinho liquoroso on the palate. This is a sweet wine – not like the old barrels of 1940s Quinado at Anderson lodge, but more of a commercial version of those wines. – January 7, 2023

Bottled in 2022. Amber-orange in color. Orange herbal notes with vanilla, caramel, lemon, and honey on the nose. This is a bit drier stylistically than I was expecting. It has a nice wave of richness right on the entry, with almonds and a touch of bitterness on the mid-palate. The complexity gets a little lost on the mid-palate, but it finishes nicely with good acidity and balance. – January 7, 2023

Bottled in 2015. There are caramel, dried nuts, and some notes on the nose that suggest almost a little white port is included. Very smooth flavor profile. Well-balanced with great acidity on the palate with wonderful notes of spice, vanilla, and orange spice. Nice long finish with good acidity. – January 7, 2023

Bottled in 2011. Rich amber-orange in color. Butterscotch, dusty library, and dried nuts on the nose. Rich, complex flavor profile. Well-integrated flavors of vanilla, some light spice, and a touch of sweetness. Extremely long, rich finish. – January 7, 2023

Single varietal Port cask sample. 187ml bottle. Touriga Nacional is known as a flagship grape for Ports, and it brings great aromatics, as well as structure and tannins for aging. This wine has a luscious nose of blackberry and black plum. The entry also shows rich black fruit, and the tannins are pronounced, but not out of balance. There is good acidity, and the body weight hovers somewhere between medium and full. This is very pleasant to drink and exhibits several dimensional characteristic that makes it easy to see how important a role it plays in the Port blends. – December 9, 2022

Single varietal Port cask sample. 187ml bottle. Tinta Roriz can have high tannins but also helps bring complexity to Port blends. This wine is light ruby-amber in color, lacking some of the intense richness of the other single varietal Ports in this tasting. There are lovely smoky, complex red fruit and chocolate notes on the nose. It has a rich mouthfeel and nice red fruit and dried spices on the palate. The tannins are large and likely would benefit from more time to settle down. It has a long finish with Cherry and fresh crushed raspberry. – December 9, 2022

Single varietal Port cask sample. 187ml bottle. Touriga France is best known for the elegance and structure it brings to Port. This wine is a beautiful ruby color. There are nice aromas of blueberry and floral notes on the nose. On the palate there is good structure and balance, giving the wine a very elegant mouthfeel. Tannins, acidity, and red fruits are noticeable on the mid-palate and long finish. While this wine has some very nice components, it doesn’t wow me, but I can see how it could contribute its better component to a final Port blend. – December 9, 2022

Single varietal Port cask sample. 187ml bottle. Tinta Cão is a low-yield grape with low alcohol and less structure. It brings fragrance and fruit to the wine. This one has a beautiful nose of violets and light strawberry on the nose. The entry has pleasant fruit and firm tannins on the mid-palate. Decent acidity but a little bitterness on the finish. As a single varietal, it is ok, but I see why this makes a better blending grape for Ports. – December 9, 2022

Single varietal Port cask sample. 187ml bottle. Sousão provides deep color and acidity. This wine is a deep, vibrant purple-ruby in color. It has lovely fragrances of crushed blueberry and blue fruits. The entry is surprisingly rich and intense but with a smooth profile. On the mid-palate, the boysenberry and sweet cranberry appear, along with noticeable, but round, tannins, and good acidity. – December 9, 2022

Completely opaque in color. Aromas of dark berries, boysenberry, violets, and dried nuts. Very pleasant, elegant approach with noticeable sweetness through the mid-palate. There are also some primary grapey notes. The tannins start off soft and refined but start to ramp up on the mid-palate. The palate along with some grapey notes. This is a slurpee and a pretty atypical Vintage Port for Sandman wine. Ridiculously approachable. – November 18, 2022

Bottled in 2021. Golden yellow in color. Aromas of honey and caramel. The palate has amazing caramel, vanilla, and honeysuckle nectar notes. Great acidity and a very long finish. – November 18, 2022

There are light aromas of chocolate and red fruit. The palate has a simple flavor profile of red fruit, cinnamon, and a touch of alcohol. The tannins are medium, and overall, it shows as a sweeter style wine with a medium finish. – November 18, 2022

Ruby-amber in color. There are red fruits, cranberry, red currant, and a touch of spirit on the nose. The entry has a slightly cloying sweetness, but that gives way on the mid-palate to some peasant, rich notes of spices and red fruits. Long finish with well-balanced tannins. – November 18, 2022

Dark, almost completely opaque. The nose has wonderful, complex notes of blackberry, black plum, and chocolate. On the palate, there is a fantastic structure, with black licorice, anise, and cocoa powder. The tannins are well-structured as well on the long, beautiful finish. – November 18, 2022

Almost opaque in color. Expressive nose of chocolate, violets, blueberry, and cassis. Full-bodied and well-balanced, the palate has milk chocolate and luscious blueberry notes. The amazing structure carries the complexity and richness through the very long finish. – November 18, 2022

Dark amber brown in color. There are espresso and tiramisu notes on the nose, as well as some light spirit. Great balance and acidity that dives across the palate. Some medium-dark fruit notes of black cherry and black plum on the palate. Medium body that goes from medium sweetness to a bit of dryness on the extremely long finish. – November 18, 2022

Amber-purple in color. Nose of blueberry, bramble fruits, mint, mushroom, herbs. Rich mouthfeel with a touch of acidity. Great cassis and dark fruit notes on the palate, with firm tannins. Very long finish with cassis, Bramble fruits, and chocolate. – November 18, 2022

Brown-amber in color. Christmas spice on the nose. Rich, velvety mouthfeel with cinnamon and a touch of spirit. Good balance, with just a hint of tiredness. There are some interesting notes on the mid-palate of candied dates. Medium body, medium sweetness. There is still decent acidity. Spice notes return on the finish. – November 18, 2022

Medium brown-amber in color. Citrus aromas of candied lemon and lemon yogurt. Not much acidity on the entry. The palate is marred by a touch of sourness here that takes away from the overall quality of this wine. This presents like a drier style of Port. – November 18, 2022

Dark ruby-amber in color. Aromas of light spirit and red fruits with cranberry and red currants. Rich, full-bodied palate with cinnamon red hots, pleasant spices, and warmth. Very good balance with a warm, long finish. Good depth and complexity. – November 18, 2022

This bottle was corked. – November 18, 2022

Medium amber-tawny in color. Interesting aromas of English peas or fresh snow peas. Something is wrong with this bottle. – November 18, 2022

Rich garnet in color. Light aromas of red fruit and spirit and cinnamon. Strawberry and some cola with nice richness on the palate. Some nice warmth. Good balance and acidity with a really long finish. – November 18, 2022

Medium garnet with tinges of purple. Dark fruits, cola, chocolate, and a touch of spirit on the nose. Amazing richness on the palate with an exceptional balance between the acidity and sweetness. There was one spike of cloying sweetness at the end of the mid-palate, but otherwise this was a round, balanced, and beautiful wine. – November 18, 2022

Medium ruby in color with some bricking. Aromas of strawberry and cinnamon. Medium-sweet palate with red fruit, currants, and strawberry. Very lovely acidity. Knifes-edge balance and an excellent long finish. – November 18, 2022

Medium ruby in color. Red fruit and some spirit on the nose. Cranberry and red fruit on the palate with some nice acidity and good balance. Rich mouthfeel and very nice notes of chocolate and red fruit on the finish – November 18, 2022

Dark ruby in color. Some light woody notes and primary fruit on the nose. Fantastic structure. Layers of flavors and complexity on the palate – strawberry, cherry, chocolate, and savory herbs. Young, fresh, and amazingly balanced for something so old. This is one of the best bottles of this wine I’ve had in a while. – November 18, 2022

Medium purple in color. Aromas of SweetTart candy and chocolate. Holy ****. The entry is velvety smooth and luscious with black cherry, black plum, and some cassis dominating the rich waves of flavors. The structure and balance of this wine are off the charts, and the finish goes on for minutes. – November 18, 2022

Bottled in 1971. Decanted 1978. Cloudy orange-brown in color. Smoky nose with creosote, roasted chestnuts, some cinnamon, and woody notes on the nose. There’s a richness in the mouthfeel but the sweetness and balance are way off. The bottle just feels tired and may just be an off bottle of this wine. – November 18, 2022

Bottled in 2007. Dark mahogany brown in color with some orange and yellow around the edges. Maple bar and pralines on the nose. Massive chocolate and vanilla, saline, torrefaction sugars, bright acidity, and lime zest on the palate. Long finish with bright acidity. – November 18, 2022

Bottled in 2007. Dark brown with tan and orange at the edges. Light mahogany, cocoa powder, and some vinagrinho on the nose. Smooth flavor profile with mouth-coating richness. Warm notes of toffee, orange peel, and some very light notes of oxidation. Nice long finish. – November 18, 2022

Bottled in 2022. Nice ruby-brown in color. Chocolate, light spice, and a touch of resin on the fresh nose. Light strawberry and bright acidity on the palate. Noticeable tannins on the long finish. – November 18, 2022

Bottled in 2022. Amber-tawny in color with yellow on the edges. Very nice nose of dried fruits, mint, and caramel. Very rich flavor profile with amazing balance and notes of caramel, orange spices, and noticeable sweetness. Very long, balanced finish. – November 18, 2022

Bottled in 2022. Dark amber brown in color. Mocha powder, mahogany, molasses, and dry dates on the nose. Intense richness on the palate with dusty tannins, raisins, and burnt sugar notes. The structured tannins and fantastic acidity really ramp up the overall quality of this wine. – November 18, 2022

Bottled in 2022. Very dark brown amber in color. There are dusty molasses, mocha powder, and light spirit notes on the nose. The beautifully complex palate has rich waves of brown sugar, citrus, and dried fruits. The viscosity on the palate is thick and unctuous. Very long, complex, and extremely well-balanced finish. – November 18, 2022

Bottled in 2008. Cloudy, brown-yellow in color. The nose is a little reticent, but there are some gingerbread and lime notes there. There is a smooth flavor profile, but the flavors have largely slipped to more tertiary notes of fig and prune juice. I think this wine has likely been in the bottle for too long. – November 18, 2022

Bottled in 1997. Despite the label, this is a Colheita Port aged in cask. Amber-brown in color. Christmas spice, red fruit, molasses, and mocha powder on the nose. A mélange of cola, rich spices, Annis, and fennel on the palate, all backed by great acidity and balance. This is a smooth, lovely wine with a long finish. – November 18, 2022

Bottled in 2007. Light brown in color with yellow on the edges. Aromas of chocolate, vanilla, and some dried fruits. Warm chocolate and spices on the palate. Very nice acidity and balance with a long finish. – November 18, 2022

Bottled in 2017. Slightly muted tawny in color. It has a lightly oxidized nose of wood, subtle orange spice, and caramel. The palate is smooth and everything about this wine seems well-integrated. Rich mouthfeel, velvety smooth texture, and beautifully long finish. – November 18, 2022

Decanted 5 hours. Dark purple with a hint of brown hues. Dusty fruit notes on the nose with blueberry, cassis, and a touch of rootbeer. Chocolate, light mint, and dark fruit on the palate. Well-structured tannins and some nice dark fruit notes as the long finish. – November 5, 2022

Purple with light shades of amber. Purity of grape on the nose with blueberry, blackberry, and cocoa powder. Rich mouthfeel with amazing structured tannins and great balance. Grenadine and luscious, layered dark fruits dominate the mid-palate, rolling into a luscious, sexy, long finish. – November 5, 2022

Bottled in 2021. Clear, amber-orange in color. Warm notes with vanilla and caramel on the nose. Smooth, sweet flavor profile with cream caramel, orange spice, and some chocolate. Great acidity and a pleasant, long finish. – November 5, 2022

Dark yellow-brown in color. Aromas of saline, dried nuts, and some oxidation. Medium-body with salted caramel, orange spice, and some underlying herbal notes. Decent acidity and balance, and a medium-long finish. – November 5, 2022

Bottled in 2021. Very dark brown coffee color with some orange-yellow on the edges. Teak wood, chocolate, and molasses on the nose. Sweet flavor profile with incredible richness and notes of molasses, chocolate, and dates. Rich long finish. – October 15, 2022

Dark brown-amber in color. Some light vinagrinho and some woody aromas. The smooth flavor profile on the entry has rich waves of chocolate and root beer on the palate. Very long finish with good complexity and richness. – October 15, 2022

Bottled in 2015. Brown-yellow in color. Some herbal notes on the nose with lime and gingerbread. Very elegant flavor profile with honey and dried fruit. There are pleasant, sweet waves of rich flavors that appear on the mid-palate. There are some tannins on the finish but overall the finish has a nice balance. – October 15, 2022

Bottled in 2018. Light amber-yellow in color. Fantastic nose of Christmas spices, very light chocolate, and some wood notes. New cardboard and Slate on the nose. Bright acidity with woody notes, some light tannins, and just a touch of bitterness at the very end of a long finish. – October 15, 2022

Bottled in 2015. Light amber-orange in color. Subtle nose of citrus and dried lemon. On the palate, there are some nice chocolate and light medicinal notes. Nice long finish and the acidity is there, but there is just a slightly off note on this bottle for me. – October 15, 2022

Bottled in 2021. Amber-orange in color. Dried fruit with a touch of vanilla on the nose. Rich flavor profile with torrefacted sugars and chocolate notes on the palate. Very nice balance despite the richness. Fresh and lively. – October 15, 2022

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. – September 17, 2022

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. – September 17, 2022

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. – September 17, 2022

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. – September 17, 2022

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. – September 17, 2022

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. – September 17, 2022

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. – September 17, 2022

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. – September 17, 2022

Dark purple in color. Black plum, cassis and some light herbal notes on the nose. Fresh crushed blackberry and boysenberry on the palate. Tannins are well-balanced but the flavor profile seems a little simple. A pleasant drinker, just not a lot of complexity. – September 16, 2022

Amber peach in color. Tropical fruit notes with guava lightly caramelized banana, and honey on the nose. Very rich mouthfeel with just a hint of oxidation that provides some nice complexity. Very balanced acidity and sweetness. The richness follows through in the very long finish. – September 14, 2022

Bottled in 2006. Brown Amber in color with a touch of sediment. Wonderful milk chocolate, maple syrup and light herbal notes on the nose. Bright acidity with very smooth, well integrated flavors of dried fruits, honey-roasted pecans and chocolate. Long, smooth finish with good acidity and elegance. – September 12, 2022

Bottled in 2007. Orange in color with traces of amber and brown. This wine used to be light and lively but as it has aged it has lost some vibrancy. It has a very nice body weight with vanilla and caramelized tropical fruit notes on the entry. It is advanced in its oxidation and in the mid-palate a walnut skin bitterness arrives that really spoils the show. The bitterness carries through to the finish. – August 20, 2022

Bottled in 1999. Amber-purple in color. A touch of sediment in the bottle. Nice notes of berry cobbler and fresh red fruits. Rich entry with chocolate, black fruits, and pronounced tannins. Long finish. – August 20, 2022

Bottled in 2015. Very dark purple in color. Cassis and black currant on the nose. Chocolate and blackberry notes on the palate. Medium body initially but on subsequent tastes the body appears to fill out more. Great structured tannins. Long finish. – August 20, 2022

Bottled in 2019. Clear, light amber in color. Vanilla, light spices, and dried fruits on the nose. Rich, intense flavor profile with bright acidity and notes of orange spice. This is a touch more elegant in style than I am used to this wine showing. – August 20, 2022

Bottled in 2021. Bright amber-gold in color. There are dried fruits, nuts, and some light spirit on the nose. Rich flavor profile with citrus and light caramel notes. Great balanced acidity on the long finish. – August 20, 2022

Bottled in 2019. Amber-orange in color. Nose of rich citrus and caramel. A touch of spirit on the nose as well. It has a very rich, complex flavor profile on the palate with dried apricot, caramel, and burnt sugar. This is a very well-balanced wine. – August 20, 2022

Orange-vanilla and some light spirit on the nose. Elegant flavor profile with caramel, dried fruits, and nice acidity. Very long finish with great balance and structure. This is a beautiful sipper. – August 20, 2022

375ml bottle. Bottled in 2015. There’s a little funkiness on the nose with some dill and herbal notes that are a little odd. On the palate, there are some rich notes of caramel and herbs, but something seems just a little off with this bottle. – August 20, 2022

375ml bottle. Bottled in 2017. Amber-brown in color with a rich palate of caramel vanilla and a light touch of spirit. Rich intensity on the mid-palate and great acidity through the long finish. – August 20, 2022

Bottled in 2018. Lovely nose of caramel with light spice and citrus. Smooth flavor profile with vanilla, caramel, dried fruits, and just a touch of bitterness on the mid-palate. Long finish with some orange peel and sweet caramel. – August 20, 2022

500ml bottle. Amber-brown in color. Rich nose of tropical fruits, caramelized banana, and honey. Smooth flavor profile with refreshing acidity. Notes of vanilla and some light butterscotch on the palate. This is a slightly drier style of White Port, so there is noticeable acidity on the finish that provides a little grippiness to the wine. Long finish. – July 22, 2022

Bottled in 2019. Yellow-amber in color. As this wine warms up from the fridge, I am starting to get notes of varnished wood, light vanilla, and vinegrenio. A little time in the glass begins to reveal a complex nose of confectioners sugar, similar to the DipStick used with the Fun Dip powdered candy. Very sweet flavor profile with Kraft caramel cream swirl on the palate, a mixture of caramel notes and the sweet creme sugars. Great acidity on this wine, and a really rich flavor profile. Because of the noticeable sugary sweetness of this wine, it seems like the sugars are not quite in balance with the acidity on the finish, but still a stellar wine. – July 22, 2022

Bottled in 2015. Dark, almost opaque purple-black in color. There are violets, dark fruit, herbs, and some light mint on the nose. Rich, intense, fresh crushed blackberry on the well-structured mid-palate. Some red currant and bright red fruits appear on the nice, long finish. – July 22, 2022

Bottled in 2020. This bottle came to us from a friend in Portugal who found this producer at a local farmers market, so he sent us a bottle to taste and evaluate. Amber-brown in color. On the subtle nose I get some light stewed cranberries and red currant, and some herbal and nutty notes. On the entry, it has a nice, balanced flavor profile but not a lot of complexity. There is a sweetness on the entry that slowly gives way to more complex notes of dried figs and dates on the mid-palate. This wine vaguely reminds me of wines that have Douro Bake, a condition where wines have been exposed at some point to excessive heat in the hot Douro Valley. While this wine seems a little simplistic overall right now, I think it has a little potential to develop a more complex flavor profile. – July 22, 2022

Amber-orange in color with some cloudiness. Decanted 4 hours. Chocolate, red fruit and light spices on the nose. Subtle spirit with cherry and red fruits on the palate. The spirit continues through the mid-palate and into the rich, long finish. – July 16, 2022

Amber-orange and color. Salted caramel, dried fruits, and a touch of VA on the nose. Rich saline notes on the palate with full body, great acidity, and very long finish. – July 16, 2022

Bottled in 2004. Subtle nose of caramel, dried fruits, and light spices. Rich, smooth entry with some red fruit, spices, and good acidity. Nice balance and slightly more elegant flavor profile. Very long, smooth finish. – July 16, 2022

Bottled in 2019. Amber-orange in color with some yellow-brown on the edge. Cocoa powder, orange spice, and some dark oak on the nose. Rich, smooth entry with vanilla, butterscotch, and some acidity popping up on the end of the palate. The finish is very long and smooth. – July 16, 2022

Bottled in 2017. Orange-amber in color. Dried figs, nuts, and some light herbal notes on the nose. Fresh, sweet flavor profile with vanilla, caramel, and very balanced acidity. Extremely smooth, with very long, fresh finish. – July 16, 2022

Bottled in 2020. Amber-brown in color with some light yellow on the edges. Subdued nose of old wood, spices, and some citrus notes. There is a mustiness to this wine that may suggest that this bottle is off. It happens. – July 16, 2022

Dark purple in color. Chocolate, red fruit, rose petals, and a touch of mint on the nose. Very nice, structured notes of rich boysenberry and sour cherry. Great acidity and a nice long finish. – July 16, 2022

Oporto bottling. Decanted 4 hours. Amber-brown in color. Red current, cinnamon, and light mint notes on the nose. Rich, intense red fruit, and lively acidity on the entry. Some intense spice on the mid-palate, giving way to a rich warm finish. There is so much quality and balance here. This is perhaps one of the best showings of this wine that I’ve had. – July 16, 2022

Almost opaque purple in color with slight garnet on the edges. Rich floral and red fruits on the nose. Smooth boysenberry and amazing structure on the palate. This is showing so young. Rich, red fruit and wonderful long smooth finish. 96 points. – July 16, 2022

Amber in color. Amazing red fruits on the nose with some cinnamon and a touch of mint. Rich, intense mouth fill with great tannins, red fruit, and fantastic structure. Red fruit and still-lively acidity on the very long finish. – July 16, 2022

Amber-purple in color. Fresh red fruit on the nose. It has a very rich palate with raspberry and red currant, and some nice tannins and acidity on the mid-palate. Really great, long finish with red fruit, nice acidity, and balance. – July 16, 2022

Bottled in 2020. Orange-amber in color. Dark fruit with roasted nuts and vanilla notes on the nose. Rich, well-balanced palate with orange spice, a touch of cinnamon, and some herbal notes. Long finish. – July 15, 2022

Bottled in 2006. I purchased this bottle on my very first trip to the Douro Valley in 2006. The Ports from Quinta do Javali tend to stylistically trend towards a green or herbal style. Amber in color with some touches of brown. A touch cloudy with some sediment. Initially a lot of esteva (herbal) notes on the nose, but then in the decanter it rounded out to a pleasant nose of herbs and dusty fruits. Nice sweetness on the palate. The fruit in this wine seems to be starting to fade so there is not as much to balance out the noticeable tannins. This is an admirable effort in a bad Port wine year. – July 15, 2022

Bottled in 2021. Amber-brown in color. Caramel and burnt sugar on the nose. Rich, sweet flavor profile with vanilla cream, caramel, and a smooth round mouthfeel. Very long, rich finish. – July 15, 2022

Bottled in 2008. Yellow-brown in color with some cloudiness. Woody notes, dusty orange spice, dried fruits, and some light VA on the nose. Smooth flavor profile with some spice and bright acidity. Notes of rich caramel and baking spices. Very long finish with lively acidity and spice. – July 15, 2022

Amber-gold in color. Light tropical fruit with some floral notes on the nose. Nice intensity and sweetness, but it has good balance with the acidity. The very long finish was unexpected and a pleasant surprise. Overall, a rich, balanced wine that punches well above its 9 Euro price. – June 25, 2022

Aged three years in barrel. Light golden-yellow in color. White peach, caramelized banana, and light herbs on the nose. The palate shows tons of rich honey and citrus, along with some noticeable spices. Good balance overall. – June 25, 2022

Aged 6 to 8 years in barrel. Amber-gold in color with a slight copper hue. Light Mandarin orange and some light oak notes on the nose. Honey, caramelized banana and burnt sugar on the palate. Complex, with the additional time in wood adding depth. Balanced acidity and sweetness on the long finish. – June 25, 2022

Gold and copper in color. Rich, intense tropical notes of lychee, fresh cut mango, and a touch of caramel. Wonderful, rich, complex flavor of honey and dried apricots. There is a touch of bitterness on the long finish but it does not come across as abrasive or unpleasant. – June 25, 2022

Bottled in 2020. Dark purple in color with slight garnet on the edges. Almost completely opaque. Herbal notes with some subtle dark fruit, plum, and black cassis. Medium body. There are notable, drying tannins on the mid-palate. Tannins roll through the very long finish, which show some grape hard candy notes. – June 25, 2022

Dark amber-purple in color. Almost completely opaque. Rich and intense approach with some primary fruit. Tight nose initially with some primary black plum and cassis. Well-integrated tannins with some primary fruits on the very long finish. – June 25, 2022

Bottled in 2021. Clear, rich, amber-orange in color. Nose of caramel, ginger, spices, and old wood. There are red peppercorns, cinnamon, rich warm spices, and a touch of butterscotch on the palate. It has a very long finish with mix of warm spices. – June 25, 2022

Dark orange-yellow in color. Tropical notes on the nose. Smooth flavor profile with citrus fruits, caramelized tropical fruits, and a good balance of acidity on the long finish. – June 25, 2022

Bottled in 2015. Tons of tropical fruit on the nose including guava, white peach, and passion fruit. Rich, intense mouthfeel with some oaky notes and rich tropical fruit. Very nice long finish with just a touch of oxidation on the tail end of the finish. – June 25, 2022

Bottled in 2017. Orange spices and wood notes on the nose. Rich, intense notes of burnt sugar on the palate, with noticeable oxidation and a very long sweet finish. – June 25, 2022

Bottled in 2017. Orange spices and wood notes on the nose. Rich, intense notes of burnt sugar on the palate, with noticeable oxidation and a very long sweet finish. – June 25, 2022

Bottled in 2021. 500 ml bottle. Amber-pink in color. Fresh red fruit on the nose with strawberry and light raspberry. Slightly sweet flavor profile with rich spice and some red currant. Sweetness and good acidity on the long finish. – June 25, 2022

Bottled in 2021. Dark amber in color. Some cola, mocha powder, and mahogany on the nose. Expressive cola, chocolate and burnt notes typical of the Douro Superior region. Long, well-balanced finish with notes of sarsaparilla. – June 25, 2022

Bottled in 2021. Amber-orange in color. Old, oiled teak on the nose with some light chocolate and a hint of spirit. Rich, well-balanced flavor profile with very nice tannins on the mid-palate and a touch of spice on the very long finish. – June 25, 2022

Cask sample. Orange-amber in color. Old wood, orange spice, and a touch of oxidation. Smooth, rich, and complex notes of burnt sugar, caramel, and rich spices on the palate. Very long finish. – June 25, 2022

Bottled in 2022. Yellow golden color. Tropical notes, honey, and melon on the nose. Very sweet flavor profile with candied peach, pineapple, and honeydew melon. Good, balanced acidity with very long finish. – June 24, 2022

Bottled in 2022. Dark golden yellow in color. Fresh cut mango and a touch of lime on the nose. Well-balanced flavor profile, with tropical fruits, a touch of honey, and some butterscotch. A little heat pops up on the long finish. – June 24, 2022

Bottled in 2022. Pale white in color with a slight peach hue. Wonderful floral and tropical notes on the nose. Some slight alcohol is present on the fresh palate, but it has nicely balanced acidity. It has a long, dry finish. – June 24, 2022

Bottled in 2022. Clear, amber golden color. Honey, old wood, and grilled tropical fruits on the nose. Rich, complex notes of honey, vanilla, and a touch of tangerine on the palate. Rich, intense mid-palate with wonderful mouthfeel and well-balanced tannins. Long finish with bright acidity. – June 24, 2022

Cask sample. 50cl bottle. This Port will be the December 20 Port in the Quevedo Port Advent Calendar. Great tropical notes on the nose. Rich mouthfeel with honey and caramel. Nice balance and bright acidity. – June 22, 2022

Cask sample. 50cl bottle. This Port will be the December 21 Port in the Quevedo Port Advent Calendar. Amber-yellow in color. Intense floral notes with tropical fruit on the nose. Smooth rich flavor profile with great expression and a long finish. – June 22, 2022

Cask sample. 50cl bottle. This Port will be the December 23 Port in the Quevedo Port Advent Calendar. Intense nose of tropical fruits and a touch of spirit. Nice intensity and complexity. Feels a bit drier in style. Nice long finish. – June 22, 2022

“Grandpa’s White.” Cask sample. 50cl bottle. This Port will be the December 24 Port in the Quevedo Port Advent Calendar. Vanilla and tropical fruits on the nose. Very rich and intense mouthfeel. Nice note of baking spices and honeysuckle. – June 22, 2022

Cask sample. 50cl bottle. This is an unusual, single varietal Tawny Port. Tinta Francisca (not to be confused with the better known Touriga Francesa/Touriga Franca) has lots of aromatic complexity, but generally lacks the tannic structure and acidity to become a powerhouse single varietal wine. However, it makes a perfect blending wine, and when produced as a Tawny Port as Oscar has done here, it makes a very interesting and pleasant wine. – June 22, 2022

Bottled in 2022. Dark amber-red in color. Light cinnamon and caramel notes on the nose. Rich, red fruit flavor profile with cinnamon, spices, and raspberry. – June 21, 2022

Just bottled. Not in the market yet. Very dark purple in color, mostly opaque. Dark fruit with blueberry and some light herbal / mint notes. Rich, fresh dark fruits with sweetness on the intense mid-palate. This is a very approachable Vintage Port, even as a baby. There seems to be some nice structure on this elegant Vintage Port to provide complexity as it ages. – June 21, 2022

Bottled in 2022. Amber-orange in color. Old wood, some spices, and a touch of oxidation on the nose. Rich, smooth flavor profile with a touch of heat and spirit, but very elegant and well-integrated. Still good complexity. Long finish. – June 21, 2022

Bottled in 2021. Clear, pale yellow in color. Bright tropical notes, stone (granite lagar), and a hint of old wood on the nose. A touch of fennel and white peach on the very intense mid-palate. A little touch of spirit on the palate, giving way to a long finish of candied ginger and good acidity. – June 21, 2022

Cask sample. This is a relatively new category of Port approved by the IVDP. Amber-golden color. Orange spice, old wood, and honeysuckle nectar on the nose. Rich notes of honey, caramel, and light orange spice on the rich and complex palate. Smooth, long finish. – June 21, 2022

Bottled in 2021. 500ml bottle. 16.5% alcohol. This wine had grape skin contact for two or three days during fermentation to give the wine its golden yellow color. There is a light nose of mixed tropical fruits. This dry style begins with rich intense notes of melon, grapefruit, and bright acidity. The mid-palate has good acidity and balance. Nice long, rich finish with a touch of residual sweetness popping up on the tail end. – June 21, 2022

13.5% alcohol. This wine was aged 50% in oak barrels and 50% in stainless steel, giving it fresh, earthy notes as well as raspberry and cherry on the nose. Great red fruit entry with tannins rolling up onto the mid-palate for a solo performance. Tannins retreat on the end of the mid-palate and make way for the long finish, which features nice complexity of chocolate, boysenberry, and black currant. – June 21, 2022

Amber-orange in color. Some initial alcohol on the nose that eventually blew off with time in the glass. Underneath are nice notes of red fruit and old wood. There are notes of chocolate, spices, and strawberries on the palate. Very long finish with some residual heat and fairly resolved tannins. – June 21, 2022

Dark amber-orange in color. Vanilla, cherry cough drop, light spice, and some light medicinal notes on the nose. Raspberry and red fruit on the approach. Slight astringent sourness and some sharp acidity, but the wine mellows out on the long finish. – June 18, 2022

Dark amber-purple in color. Red fruit with some herbal notes on the nose. Slight heat on the entry with spices and red fruit on the mid-palate. Nice chocolate notes on the long, complex finish. – June 18, 2022

Bottled in 2013. Light amber-orange in color. Transparent. Old wood mingles with vanilla and orange spice on the nose. Nice, smooth palate with rich complexity and very long, warm finish. – June 18, 2022

Bottled in 2017. Amber in color. Transparent. Light nose of red fruit. Rich flavor profile with waves of complex flavors and bright acidity all the way through the very long finish. – June 18, 2022

Bottled in 2018. Light amber-gold in color. Creme Brulee and great old wood notes on the nose. Great viscosity on the palate, with dried fruits, light maple syrup, and some really pleasant citrus notes. The acidity is vibrant on the mid-palate and the finish has really nice complexity. – June 18, 2022

Bottled in 2013. Amber-orange in color. Notes of light red fruit and herbs on the nose with some light chocolate notes underneath. Rich, complex palate with orange spice and herbal notes. Long finish with well-balanced acidity. – June 18, 2022

Cask sample. Bottled in 2022. Dark amber-red in color. The color of this wine resembles a 10 Year Old Tawny Port. Some light chocolate notes, red fruit, a little oak, and a touch of spirit on the nose. It has an intense mouthfeel with an expanding, rich palate of sweet cherry and mild cinnamon spices on the palate. Really good, long finish with nice red fruit notes popping back up on the tail end. – June 4, 2022

Decanted eight hours. Very dark, semi-opaque purple in color. Great, complex nose of blackberries, black currants, a touch of graphite, chocolate, and some light herbal notes. Wonderfully balanced and full bodied on the palate with rich notes of cranberries and red currants. It has a rich, long, smooth finish. – June 4, 2022

Decanted six hours. Semi-transparent, amber-red in color. There are cherry candies and sweet red fruits on the nose. On the palate, there are some really wonderful chocolate and red fruit notes. Rich, but also very smooth flavor profile. The rich flavor profile carries through to the long, smooth finish. 94 points. – June 4, 2022

Decanted eight hours. Dark purple-amber in color. There are a lot of dark fruit notes on the nose, especially blackberry and blueberry, as well as a touch of mint that I frequently find on wines from Quinta de Vargellas. Intense dark fruit carries through to the palate, with rich blueberries, black currants, and a wonderfully smooth, well-integrated flavor profile. Tons of chocolate on the finish. – June 4, 2022

Decanted eight hours. This wine is mostly opaque with a dark purple-amber color. There are boatloads of chocolate on the nose of this wine. Even on the palate, where I normally find at least a few mint or herbal notes, there is primarily chocolate covered cherries. The structure and tannins are exactly what I expect from this wine, as is the long finish. I probably would have given this a higher score, but it is slightly one-dimensional with all the pronounced chocolate notes. – June 4, 2022

Decanted for eight hours. This wine is dark amber-purple in color, and has a nose of violets, mint, and some herbs. There is amazing balance to the wine, although I feel like this wine may be missing a little of the power and intensity that I am used to experiencing with this wine. This could be because of the extended eight hour decant time. However, it is still a stellar wine with a long, complex, and beautiful finish. – June 4, 2022

Dark amber in color. This wine has a funky nose almost like tar or asphalt, which I have experienced in this wine before. While there are some herbal and red fruit notes underneath, there must just be something with the aromatics for this wine. Thankfully, everything else about this wine was very enjoyable. The palate has just a hint of that funkiness, but the palate also shows some beautiful nice red fruit, red currant, and raspberry. Very long finish. – June 4, 2022

This was bottled in 2015. Dark amber-orange in color. Carmel, orange spice, and some fantastic vanilla on the nose. There are complex, rich notes of vanilla and butterscotch on the palate. There is also some very nice oxidation on this wine that just ramps up the complexity another notch. This wine is so very smooth! It has an extremely long finish that goes on and on. This is an outstanding wine. – June 4, 2022

Bottled in 2017. OMG. Amazing notes of orange spice, antique wood, and caramel on the nose. Incredibly smooth but complex palate with caramel, burnt sugar, dried fruits, and some roasted nuts. Waves of complex flavors weave in and out through the mid-palate and into the extremely long finish. The acidity is spectacular. – June 4, 2022

3.5 hours of decant time. Dark, amber-brown in color with some fine sediment in the glass. There is a ton of spice on the nose along with some very strawberry and light cherry. The full-bodied palate shows black licorice, cherry, and rich spices. There is warm alcohol and cinnamon on the very long finish. – May 21, 2022

Very dark purple with amber on the edge. There is a very pleasant nose of light cocoa powder, black plum, and light herbal notes. The palate is rich, complex, and full bodied with smooth, refined tannins and a ton of fruit still noticeable. This is an outstanding, elegant, expressive wine. – May 21, 2022

Three hours decant time. Dark purple in color with light amber purple on the edges. There is a slightly musty nose on this wine with herbs and some fennel / anise. The funkiness also briefly appears on the palate, followed by big dark fruits and great tannins. The funky notes on this wine remind me of Douro Bake, a condition where wines have been exposed to too much heat during storage. However, once you get through the slight off notes, the underlying wine is rather pleasant. – May 21, 2022

Decanted for 4.5 hours. This wine is medium amber-purple in color. There are some really nice milk chocolate notes, beautiful blue fruits, and boysenberry on the nose. On the palate, there are sweet, smoky notes that mingle with the blueberry and cassis. The flavors and tannins are well-integrated, and it has a long finish. This is one of the best showings of the 1990 Vesuvio that I can recall having. – May 21, 2022

Bottled in 2016. Amber-brown in color with orange yellow on the edges. On the nose there is sweet vanilla caramel, light maderized notes, old mahogany, orange spice, and toffee. The palate is light and ethereal, with bright acidity and notes of vanilla cream and caramel. There is a touch of nut skin bitterness on the very long finish. – May 21, 2022

Cask sample. Amber-orange in color. There is Lemon Pledge with orange peel on the nose. There are also some interesting notes of whetstone, cement, and new cardboard. The oxidation is noticeable. There are dried fruits, orange spices, and roasted nuts on the palate. Nicely balanced, but the dry finish falls slightly short. I was hoping for a little more richness and complexity in this wine, but those were in short supply. Still, a very interesting, pleasant wine. – May 21, 2022

If you get a good bottle of this Port, it is one of the best of the Vintage. However, this Port has a history of TCA, which usually increases as the wine gets more exposure to air, so it was only splash decanted just prior to consumption. Dark amber in color. Raspberry, cinnamon, and red currant on the nose. Rich mouthfeel with red fruit and chocolate, and a light touch of spirit. Nice long finish. – April 30, 2022

Dark amber in color. Dark fruit on the nose with some herbal notes underneath. Very smooth flavor profile with well-balanced red fruit on the long finish. – April 30, 2022

Slightly funky nose. Medium dark-amber in color. Nice red fruit profile, with only a small fraction of the funky nose appearing on the palate. Some umami and mocha notes. Very slurpable with rich palate and nice tannins on the long finish. – April 30, 2022

The Casa do Douro was a Federation of Douro grape growers created in 1932. Bottled in 2003. Orange-brown in color. Wonderful caramel square candy on the nose. Medium bodied with expansive caramel and maple syrup notes. Belgian waffle and butterscotch on the long finish. – April 30, 2022

Dark amber-brown with pale yellow on the rim. Light notes of old wood and a touch of vanilla on the nose. Rich butterscotch and some caramelized sugar on the palate. Amazing balance and acidity and a great, long finish. – April 30, 2022

Bottled in 2021. Amber-orange in color. Vanilla creme, tropical fruits, and just a touch of spirit on the nose. Well-rounded mouthfeel with some great acidity and balance. Really pleasant acidity and richness on the long finish. – April 30, 2022

Yellow-brown in color with slight green edging. Nose of caramel, honey, and a little Christmas spice. Rich mouthfeel with salted caramel and woody notes giving way to some noticeable tannins and mouth-coating texture on the mid-palate. Very long finish with great balanced acidity. This used to present with a lot more heat/alcohol but it seems like those are resolving nicely in the wine. – April 23, 2022

Amber in color. Beautiful warm red fruit and spice on the nose. Rich elegant mouthfeel with strawberry, spice, and nice acidity. Beautiful long finish with spice and excellent balance. – April 23, 2022

Opened by George Sandeman. Light amber in color. Bubblegum and red fruit on the nose. Beautiful rich palate with red fruit, light spice, and very nice balanced acidity. Very long, rich finish. – April 23, 2022

Ice water in color. Aged in stainless steel. Light tropical notes on the nose. Registered as an Extra Dry White Port. Simple, easy to drink, with dry profile and balanced acidity. – April 21, 2022

Bottled in 2021. Amber-orange in color. Herbal notes with some red fruit still present. Elegant flavor profile with nice complexity and well-balanced finish. – April 21, 2022

This was produced under the previous “Vintage Character” category before the IVDP changed this category name to Reserve Ruby. This wine probably has an average age of six to seven years. Medium dark purple with amber on the edges. Nice light earthy notes and fresh red fruit. Youthful flavor profile with wonderful, elegant complexity. Beautiful wine for a reserve. – April 21, 2022

Dark purple color with amber rim. Some light spirit and chocolate notes on the nose. Warm, round soft tannins on the palate. Very well structured on the finish. – April 21, 2022

Very dark, almost opaque in color. Floral, blue fruit, and herbal notes on the nose. Intense dark fruit, present tannins, and a touch of astringency on the palate. Very long finish. – April 21, 2022

Bottled in 2018. Dark amber-purple in color. Some red fruit and chocolate notes on the nose. Sofia says this Colheita Port has “one foot in Tawny and one foot in Ruby.” Nice structure and very long finish. – April 21, 2022

Cask Sample. This is their top white wine. It has fresh minerality and a nice, full bodied flavor profile. The finish is crisp and enjoyable. – April 21, 2022

Cask Sample. From Douro Superior vines that were regrafted six years ago. Violets and earl grey tea on the nose (which is typical for the Touriga Nacional grape varietal). Very nice structure and balance on this wine, which is sometimes difficult to do with a single varietal where you don’t have the luxury of blending in other wines to optimize the balance. – April 21, 2022

Cask Sample. Great nose with tobacco and earthiness. Rich spices and red fruit on the palate. The structure on this wine is really enjoyable. Very long finish. – April 21, 2022

Cask Sample. More than 45 different grape varieties in the vineyard that this wine was made from. Rich, well-structured wine with dark red fruits, some light earthy notes, and amazing balance. – April 21, 2022

Orange-yellow in color with slight green on the edge. Orange spices, dark wood, and roasted hazelnuts on the nose. Intense mouthfeel with umami and bright acidity. Long finish with a touch of bitterness. – April 21, 2022

Amber-ruby in color. Wood and red fruit on the nose. Fresh, sweet flavor profile with good acidity and a touch of some primary red fruit. Long finish. – April 20, 2022

Bottled in 2021. Yellow-gold in color. Nice tropical fruits and some light floral notes on the nose. Fresh, intense mouthfeel with good acidity. Honey, tropical fruits, and well-balanced, long finish. – April 19, 2022

Light yellow-honey in color. Nose of cedar and orange blossom. Smooth and elegant profile. Complex flavors with good freshness and acidity. Nice long finish. – April 19, 2022

Bottled in 2022. Elegant nose of light spice and some soft touches of wood. A little alcohol/heat on the entry, giving way to warmth and Christmas spices. Nice rich, warm finish. – April 19, 2022

Bottled in 2022. Orange-amber in color. Nice notes of wood and orange spice on the nose. Smooth, elegant flavor profile but with some richness and a nice warmth. – April 19, 2022

Bottled in 2022. Beautiful orange in color with a little green around the edges. It has a very powerful nose of old wood and burnt sugar. Rich, intense flavor profile with great complexity, rich caramel, and spice notes. – April 19, 2022

Orange-brown in color. A touch of vinegrenio with and old wood component. Super rich with a complex flavor profile. Honey, caramel, and a touch of sweet orange spice. Excellent balance between the sweetness and the acidity. Extremely well-integrated. – April 19, 2022

Dark amber in color with some orange on the edges. Still some red fruit notes on the nose with some pronounced spices. Rich, fresh red fruit with some oak and a nice rich flavor profile. – April 19, 2022

Bottled in 2022. Great complexity on the nose with old wood and a touch of oxidation that lends itself to the complexity of this wine. Rich flavor profile with some red fruit, nice oak, and a touch of cinnamon. Long finish. – April 19, 2022

This is a new “category” of wine championed by Dirk Niepoort. To be Nat’Cool, a wine must align to a set of “rules” (though to be fair, rule #1 is “There are no rules”). However, Nat’Cool wines “should” be produced using natural or low-intervention methods, be low in alcohol, be terroir-driven and be affordable. Affordable drinkability is the name of the game here. The “Drink Me” is produced from Grenache Old Vines from Navarro. It is pale red in color, and the nose shows cherry, herbal, and fresh cut flowers notes. There is nice acidity and freshness on the palate, with some nice spicy notes on the long finish. – April 19, 2022

This is a new “category” of wine championed by Dirk Niepoort, To be Nat’Cool, a wine must align to a set of “rules” (though to be fair, rule #1 is “There are no rules”). However, Nat’Cool wines “should” be produced using natural or low-intervention methods, be low in alcohol, be terroir-driven and be affordable. Affordable drinkability is the name of the game here. The Voyeur is aged 8 months in amphora, which adds notes of clay and earthiness. Not overly complex or sophisticated, but an interesting wine to try. I think this might be my first wine aged in a clay amphora. – April 19, 2022

Bottled in 2021. Amber color with a touch of orange on the edge. Freshness with a touch of red fruit and some nice complex wood and earthy notes. Some cranberry and tart red fruit on the palate. It has a very complex mid palate and wonderful long finish with a great balance. – April 19, 2022

Amber-orange in color. Some sediment in the glass. Light cinnamon and Christmas spice on the nose. Very rich mouthfeel with red fruit, and with nice balance, tannins, and structure. Very long finish. – April 19, 2022

Dark opaque purple in color. Crushed blackberry and blueberry with some light herbal notes. Smooth elegant floral profile with dark fruit and a touch of chocolate. Some well-integrated but present tannins. Long finish. Very nice VP. – April 19, 2022

This Port is produced and bottled by Alchemy Wines, who also produce wines under the Blackett label. Pale yellow in color. There is noticeable minerality on the nose. On the palate, I noticed a slight astringent note alongside some white peach and tropical notes. Light, ethereal finish, but just a touch of bitterness on the end of the finish. – April 18, 2022

This Port is produced and bottled by Alchemy Wines, who also produce wines under the Blackett label. The wine is dark ruby-amber in color. There is a touch of primary fruit and some spirit on the nose. There are pleasant red fruits on the approach, with a fairly well-integrated flavor profile and a freshness on the palate. Nice long finish. – April 18, 2022

This Port is produced and bottled by Alchemy Wines, who also produce wines under the Blackett label. Amber in color. Really interesting notes of light cinnamon and marzipan on the nose. Christmas spices, with some light curry and nuts on the palate. The tannins lightly dance across the mid-palate, giving way to light spicy notes on the long finish. – April 18, 2022

Amber tawny in color. Likely in the realm of 60 years old. Sandeman had not planned to bottle this wine on its own, but rather to use it to blend into its older Tawny Ports. However, with the explosion of other “old, ultra-premium Ports” that were starting to hit the market, they decided to showcase this old wine and bottle it. George Sandeman shared his last 375ml sample bottles for Cask 33 with me. The finished product was bottled in hand-blown bottles left over from the anniversary bottling in 1999. Complex notes of vanilla, caramel, and old wood on the nose. Very elegant approach with nuts, a touch of vanilla, and excellent acidity. The finish is smooth, with tannins still present on the tail end of the finish. This wine is smooth, elegant, and fresh. – April 18, 2022

From magnum. Decanted for 8 hours. This magnum came from our first visit to Quinta do Vesuvio in 2006 when we got into the lagars with the local Portuguese workers and helped to foot-trod this wine. We all were offered magnums of the wine when it was bottled, and it has been quite a few years since I have tasted any of the magnums that our group were offered. I was really looking forward to seeing how this wine was progressing, as I still have magnums of this wine in my cellar. Dark purple in color, mostly opaque. Floral and fresh crushed blueberry notes on the nose. Some mocha, and great intensity of blue fruit on the palate – blueberry, boysenberry, and black currant. There is an elegance to the mouthfeel, but that is backed by a fantastic structure. This wine could go for 50 more years (at least in magnum). – April 9, 2022

From magnum. This magnum was bottled in Oporto. There is some light TCA on the nose, along with some strawberry and red fruits. On the palate, there is some initial black fruits, cassis, and black plum. It has a rich mouthfeel, but some funky notes seem to be lurking just under the wonderful initial tastes. The more I smell the wine, the more TCA seems to be picking, and the few follow up sips I tried started to show only muted fruit and herbal notes. I called this as a corked wine, and several other people at the table disagreed with me, but thirty minutes later, the table was unanimous – the TCA was pronounced and the wine was no longer drinkable. – April 9, 2022

Bottled in 2009. Orange-amber in color. Light nose of caramel, vanilla, and woody notes. The palate has rich notes of honey, caramel, roasted almonds, and dried fruits. It is full-bodied and has a luxurious texture in the mouth. The complexity of this wine was notable from stem to stern. – April 9, 2022

From magnum. Amber-orange in color. There are light notes of caramel and a touch of red fruit. Good vibrancy but there is a dry nuttiness and a note that seems a little off on the palate. There is an elegant note to this wine, but it may be turning the corner into its last hurrah. There is still enough life here that made this a great showing for this wine, but I wouldn’t be holding onto these too much longer. – April 9, 2022

From magnum. Amber-purple in color. Red fruits, cinnamon, and some spirit on the nose. Rich, warm, complex mouthfeel with spices, some spirit, and some subtle chocolate notes. This wine is very smooth in the mouth, with rich texture and fine-grained tannins. The acidity and the sweetness are well-balanced, and the long finish takes the opportunity to briefly revisit the cinnamon and strawberry notes. – April 8, 2022

Bottled in 2021. Dark amber-orange in color. Molasses, dark oiled teak wood, mocha, and a hint of vanilla on the nose. Rich, complex palate of vanilla nougat, caramel, and subtle orange spice. The rich textures carry all the way through to the crazy long finish. Wow! This is one of the better showings I have had of this bottle. It’s all there in one fantastic package. – April 8, 2022

Dark amber-purple in color with a touch of brown on the edges. Noticeable sediment in the glass. There are some herbal notes, dusty grapes, and some intense dark fruit on the nose. Incredible intensity on the approach. There are fantastic rich mocha notes on the palate, along with fig, cherry, and red fruits. Really great mouthfeel. It is incredible that a 1931 Vintage Port still has this much to give. Simply outstanding. – April 7, 2022

Amber-orange in color. Light cinnamon and red fruit on the nose. There are some subtle notes that remind me of the funky characteristic of some Washington State and Oregon Syrahs. Rather than detracting, it gives this wine a unique complexity that I really find enjoyable. There is cinnamon, mocha powder, and strawberry on the rich, complex palate. The wine has great acidity and fine-grained tannins. It has a very long, luxurious finish. – April 7, 2022

Very light amber-orange in color. Light raspberry on the nose. It is medium bodied, and the palate runs more toward Tawny descriptors than Vintage Port descriptors – cinnamon, dried fruits, and subtle sweetness. The finish is medium-long. This isn’t the best showing of this bottle, but it is an easy sipper and not something that you get to try every day. – April 7, 2022

Amber-brown in color. Rich chocolate and light herbal notes on the nose. There are cola, red fruits, dried fig, dried herbs, and light chocolate notes on the palate. An impressive, layered complexity that continues to surface new and interesting tastes and aromas. So much quality here to be so old and take my palate on such a fun ride. Very long finish. – April 7, 2022

Light amber-orange in color. Light bodied with red fruit and medium complexity. Some touches of vanilla on the palate, but this bottle is starting to show a few more Tawny characteristics than VP characteristics. – April 7, 2022

Bottled in 2015. Amber-orange in color with some light yellow on the rim. Vanilla cream caramel on the nose. Rich caramel and orange spice on the palate. Smooth flavor profile with expansive, mouth-coating mid-palate. This makes me wonder if there might be some white grapes in the blend. Some noticeable acidity on the medium-dry finish. – March 5, 2022

Bottled in 2015. Amber-brown in color. Toasted coconut and some light wood notes on the nose. Very smooth approach with some nice acidity and notes of well-integrated caramel, honey, and orange spice. – March 5, 2022

Bottled in 2021. Amber-orange in color, with light orange on the rim. Nice warm, herbal notes on the nose. Very smooth entry leading to a pop of bright acidity from the mid-palate all the way through to the end of the long finish. – March 5, 2022

Decanted for six hours. Dark amber-purple in color. Wonderful dark fruit and amazing Christmas Spice on the nose. Excellent structure with a touch of warmth on the very long, balanced finish. – March 5, 2022

Dark fruit on the nose with prunes and stone fruits. Smooth tannins. Really amazing balance and structure but still showing signs of amazing power. – March 5, 2022

Dark opaque purple. Dark, primary fruit on the nose. Wonderful, rich dark fruit – blackberry and black current – on the palate. This wine looks like a young VP, smells like a young VP, but drinks like an older VP because of the great integration it is already showing. – March 5, 2022

Amber-orange in color. Great nose of saline and some chocolate notes. Rich, intense mouthfeel with chocolate, saline and Great acidity. – February 5, 2022

Amber-brown in color. Chocolate and some light red fruit notes on the nose. Vibrant red fruit and a touch of spirit on the palate. Great complexity and intensity. Very long, balanced finish. – February 5, 2022

Red fruits on the nose. Great mouthfeel with some cinnamon and red fruit on the palate. Balanced acidity. Very long finish. – February 5, 2022

Amber-purple in color. Chocolate and some light clove on the nose. Rich, but balanced profile of red fruit and a touch of cinnamon. – February 5, 2022

Amber-red in color. Dark fruit on the nose. Great red fruit and a hint of baking spice on the palate. – February 5, 2022

Bottled in 2006. Amber-orange in color. A touch of cinnamon and red fruits on the nose. Rich mouthfeel and incredible balance. Amazing wine with great balance and bright acidity. I think that the 1961 is probably one of the best Colheitas that Krohn produced. – February 5, 2022

Amber-orange in color. Clear. Caramel and butterscotch on the nose. Very balanced sweetness and acidity. Honey, caramel, and wonderful hints of orange spice on the palate. – February 5, 2022

“Simples Not For Sale” label. This wine is slightly cloudy with some light sediment. There is caramel and a touch of pralines on the nose. Rich caramel and light orange spice on the palate. Bright acidity, rich mouthfeel, and an amazingly long finish. – February 5, 2022

Amber-orange in color. There is caramel and light orange spice on the nose. The wine has great acidity with a rich flavor profile. Well-balanced, with a long finish. – February 5, 2022

Bottled in 1993. We don’t know the producer and we don’t know a lot about this wine. It is very cloudy. This wine is dark brown in color with yellow on the edges. There are chocolate and teak wood notes on the nose. There is surprising sweetness, but it comes across as very simple. There is good acidity, but it is out of balance with the sweetness. Modest length. – February 5, 2022

Amber-purple in color with some subtle hints of brown. Just a touch of alcohol on the nose with some light chocolate, dark berries, and light note of vanilla. Smooth, well-integrated palate with black currant and a long, smooth finish. – January 22, 2022

Decanted 7.5 hours. Dark, amber-purple in color. First whiff was vanilla cake batter, giving way to brambleberries and some earthy, clay notes. Fresh, well-integrated approach with some red currant. Some light, tangy acidity on the mid-palate. Long, juicy finish with some lingering acidity. – January 22, 2022

Intense, dark, opaque purple in color. Old dusty oak with some wonderful blackberry notes and just a touch of mocha on the nose. Extremely well-structured palate. Pronounced grape flavors with excellently balanced tannins and acidity on the finish. We agreed that this has a VERY low level of TCA, but in the end, it didn’t affect the flavor profile in any noticeable way. – January 22, 2022

Really great nose of oiled teak and sweet, salted caramel. Very smooth and well-integrated – January 22, 2022

Bottled in 2017. Amber-brown in color. Velvet nose of caramel, herbs, and honey. Extremely rich, complex flavor profile of vanilla and orange spices. Extremely smooth, rich, and complex. A beautiful wine. – December 11, 2021

Bottled in 2021. Dark brown-amber in color. Some fun play doh on the nose at first sniff, which gave way to molasses and some nice vanilla and espresso notes. The acidity and balance are very nice. Long finish. – December 11, 2021

Bottled in 2015. Aged barrel notes on the nose with vanilla and some smooth spices. Very smooth palate with amazingly rich notes of molasses and toffee. This wine is much more elegant and well-integrated than I am used to. I expected more dynamics but this is super elegant and integrated beautifully. – December 11, 2021

Bottled in 2017. Clear, dark amber-orange in color. Caramel and creme brulee on the nose. Bright acidity. Nice long finish. – December 11, 2021

Bottled in 2019. There is buttered popcorn on the nose and a ton of acidity on the palate. This wine appears to be suffering from some slight bottle stink. – December 11, 2021

Bottled in 2000. Very dark cola in color. Cola and some black pepper on the nose, along with blackstrap molasses and Bola de Mel (the traditional Madeira cake). Really rich and wonderful palate with a nice long finish. – December 11, 2021

Bottled in 2015. Light sediment in the glass. Amber-orange in color. Nose of lemon, with some nice touches of old, aged, oak wood. Well-balanced, complex flavors of spices, toffee, and nuts on the palate. It has a really nice, long finish with balanced tannins and structure. – December 11, 2021

Bottle in 2013. Clear, amber-orange in color. Light cinnamon and cedar on the nose. Lots of expressive acidity with noticeable tannins on the palate. There is a rustic quality to the finish on this wine that slightly takes away from the overall rich finish. – December 11, 2021

Bottled in 2013. Cloudy amber-orange in color. Cedar, orange spice, vanilla, evergreen, and some light medicinal notes on the nose. There are notes of caramel with bright, focused acidity but this wine has a muted overall flavor profile. – December 11, 2021

Light golden color. There are candied white peaches on the nose with a touch of banana and tropical notes. Rich texture with honey and a light touch of maple syrup. Good balanced acidity and sweetness on the finish. – December 11, 2021

Red fruit and some herbal notes on the nose. Intense mouthfeel with raspberry and chocolate. The tannins are still very much present, but all well balanced. This wine has a rounded mouthfeel, but still showing a lot of youth and fruit. This one needs more time. – November 20, 2021

Mint, herbal notes, and some cinnamon on the nose. Great structure and good balance. It is round and pleasant. It exhibits some warms spice notes on the palate and long finish. – November 20, 2021

TCA – November 20, 2021

Slightly cloudy in appearance. Great nose of caramel, butterscotch, and vanilla. The palate reveals a note that remind me of a Verdelho Maderia – very dry with sharp acidity. Underneath are subtle notes of espresso and mocha powder. – November 20, 2021

Amber-orange in color. Rich notes of orange spice on the nose with just a hint of acetone. Orange zest and coffee notes on the palate. Nice acidity and long finish. – November 20, 2021

Fantastic depth and complexity on the nose, with dried cranberry and cherry. Red fruits on the entry with a touch of warm spice. Great balance through the mid-palate, and just a touch of sweetness on the long finish. – November 5, 2021

Ex-cellars. Amber in color with some pink hues. Lively sentiment and breadfruit on the nose. Warm mid-palate with rich raspberry, spice notes, and some dusty tannins. A touch of nice acidity leads to the long finish of red fruits, Christmas spice, and noticeable spirit. This is a very good showing for this wine. – October 2, 2021

Amber with a slight orange tinge and subtle pink hues on the edge. Some faint chocolate notes on the nose. Rich mouthfeel with herbal notes, fresh cherry, and well-balanced acidity. Rich viscosity and a nice long finish. – October 2, 2021

Amber-ruby and color with significant sediment. Subtle nose of… it’s corked. – October 2, 2021

Bottled in 2020. Amber-orange in color with a touch of yellow on the edges. Apricot, creme brulee, and rich buttery notes on the nose. Rich citrus with orange and well-balanced acidity on the palate. Really nice sweetness and structure on the long finish. – October 2, 2021

Bottled in 2021. Clear, light yellow in color. Floral, honey, and light tropical notes on the nose. Intense, wonderful mouthfeel with tropical fruit, bananas, and very nice acidity. Excellent finish. Super smooth and drinkable. – October 1, 2021

Dark yellow in color. Butterscotch is present on the nose, and I am just starting to detect the first notes of oxidation you expect from the older White Ports. Vanilla, hazelnuts, and great honey notes on the palate. Very nice tannins with bright acidity. Sweet notes of honey with complexity and richness on the long finish. – October 1, 2021

Unfiltered cask sample. Dark yellow-orange in color. Intense nose of tropical fruit, bananas, and honey. There are notes of oxidation that I expect from aged Whites Ports. It has a rich mouthfeel that starts with good acidity and a touch of nuts and almond skins. A little bitterness appears on the mid-palate, though not in a distracting way. Very nice long finish. – October 1, 2021

Bottled in 2021. Deep golden color. Dried floral and herbal notes on the nose, with some very nice hints of honey and varnished wood floors underneath. Extreme smoothness and amazing rich palate of tropical fruit, honey, and butterscotch. Great sweetness that is intricately balanced with the acidity. Extremely long finish. – October 1, 2021

The blend for this wine is probably closer to 25 years old on average. Orange-yellow in color. Wonderful notes of dried fruit, toffee, and citrus (lemon). On the palate, it is smooth with notes of maple, light roasted nuts, and some orange spice. The very bright acidity seems to hide a bit of the flavor profile on the palate. The tannins start to announce themselves on the mid-palate. Intense complexity on the finish but this seems a little unbalanced. – October 1, 2021

Bottled in 2021. Orange-brown in color with yellow on the edges. Notes of grilled lemon and some butterscotch on the nose. Rich mouthfeel with great notes of toasted nuts and caramel, and showing some hints of early oxidation. – October 1, 2021

Bottled in 2020. Clear, light brown in color with some yellow tinge. Lemon and burnt sugar notes on the nose. Pleasant, sweet notes of caramel right on the entry. About half a second after you swallow, boom! The intensity of this wine explodes on the palate with waves of complex flavors of caramel, burnt sugar, and a fresh sweetness. Usually, a 40 Year Old Tawny Port would have more torrefacted sugars notes, but not this one. Extremely long finish. – October 1, 2021

Bottled in 2021. This wine came from four forgotten casks at DR. Amber-brown color with yellow-green tinge on the edge. Warm spirit and loads of mocha notes on the nose. Incredible smooth texture, with complex notes of caramel, dried fruit, honey, and espresso beans. Remarkable for its balance and freshness. Absolutely amazing for a wine this old. Bottle number 85 of 200. – October 1, 2021

Cask #3 Sample. Dark brown in color with yellow on the edges. Mahogany and expressive notes of espresso, chocolate and vinegrenio. The incredibly rich mouthfeel seems to pick up viscosity on the mid-palate and evolve into a complex mélange of rich, flavors and textures. I picked up rich toffee, torrefacted brown sugars, and some simply amazing intensity. Great balance of acidity and sweetness. Wow. This is an amazing cask sample. Like drinking honeyed molasses with a shot of espresso. This cask is the is the Muito Muito Velha (Very Very Old) Port with over 100 years of age. These are often used to blend into other wines. – October 1, 2021

Cask #1 Sample. Dark brown in color with yellow on the edges. Intense dark chocolate, espresso, and molasses on the nose. Rich, sweet flavor profile with nuts, chocolate, and dried fruits. An amazingly long finish. Not rated because I was listening to two opera singers who were performing in the barrel room. – October 1, 2021

Dark purple with ruby edges. Mostly opaque. Violets, fresh crushed blueberry, herbal notes and nice minerality on the nose. Entry of blueberry with tannins ramping up immediately after. The tannins begin to recede at the end of the mid-palate into a nice balanced sweetness. The finish is extremely long. This wine probably has 40 to 60 years ahead of it. – September 30, 2021

Dark purple in color with garnet around the edges. Blueberry, cassis and nice herbal notes on the nose. Red currant and boysenberry on the mid-palate, giving way to chocolate notes on the finish. Extremely balanced sweetness, acidity, and tannins. The finish is very long. – September 30, 2021

Pale purple in color with some subtle hues of red-brown. Lots of cocoa powder on the nose with blueberry and brambly dark fruits. Very rich mouthfeel with some dusty tannins and notes of chocolate, rich raspberry, and red fruits. Very long finish. – September 30, 2021

Chocolate, boysenberry, and some floral notes on the nose. Sweet cherry, red fruit, and tannins on the palate. There is a pleasant sweetness on this wine that lingers in the mid-palate and the rolls through the very long finish. – September 30, 2021

Blueberry, raspberry, and some herbal notes on the nose. Some nice red fruit and some chocolate notes on the palate. Nice balanced acidity and some noticeable sweetness on the very long finish. – September 30, 2021

Chocolate and herbal notes on the nose. Intense boysenberry and a touch of cranberry on the palate. Very nice acidity and balance. A faint touch of mint on the finish. – September 30, 2021

Dried herbs, dusty red fruits, and a faint hint of cornmeal on the nose. Dusty, pronounce tannins with pomegranate and cranberry juice on the mid-palate. Long finish with good tannins and structure. This wine is coming across as a drier style of Port that I am used to seeing in other bottles of this wine. – September 30, 2021

Cool, crushed blueberries, fresh violets, and some light herbal notes on the nose. What a fresh nose this has! Intense boysenberry and blueberry on the full-bodied palate with a very intense, sweet mouthfeel. Well-balanced tannins, rich complexity, and dark fruits on the extremely long finish. – September 30, 2021

Rich, torrefacted notes of burnt sugar and orange spice on the nose. Full, rich body with bright acidity and espresso, chocolate, and molasses on the palate. Very nice, long finish. – September 30, 2021

Bottled in 2015. Light brown-orange in color. Toasted coconut, vanilla, and roasted hazelnuts on the nose. Some acidity on the entry, giving way to a rich, sweet mid-palate, that further gives way to more noticeable acidity through to the finish. Very long finish with caramel, orange peel and balanced tannins. – September 30, 2021

Bottled in 2021. Dark brown-amber in color. Rich molasses and espresso bean on the nose. Rich, full bodied mouthfeel with amazing complexity and lively acidity. Extremely long finish. – September 30, 2021

Bottled in 1981. Brown-yellow in color. Nose of light caramel and honey. There is some bright acidity on the palate with some dusty tannins that appear mid-palate and linger on into the long finish. There is something about the balance on the palate that makes this Port feel a little disjointed. – September 30, 2021

Bottled in 2010. Extremely dark brown in color with yellow on the edge. Intense, incredible nose of mahogany, vinegrenio (little vinegar), molasses, and espresso powder. Very intense, savory notes of dark chocolate, light soy sauce and rich intenseness on the palate. Very long finish with some tannins and just a touch of bitterness. – September 30, 2021

Brown-orange and color. Cinnamon, red fruits and some light chocolate notes on the nose. This wine has the flavor profile of a very nice, very old Tawny Port, with good intensity, some caramel, and some nice milk chocolate notes on the palate. Medium long finish. – September 30, 2021

The Legendary Dona Antonia Adelaide Ferreira used to own Quinta do “Vezuvio.” This bottle was brought to a retirement dinner honoring Dominic Symington, who (until his retirement) was responsible for Quinta do Vesuvio. Brown in color with yellow on the edges. Toasted marshmallow, orange spice, vanilla and espresso on the nose. Intense dark chocolate and coffee bean, with tannins and acidity on the palate. Extremely long finish with notes of cocoa, molasses, and mocha. – September 30, 2021

The age of the blend is probably around 22 years old. Clear, orange-yellow in color. There are apricots and dried fruits on the nose. This dry style is complex but has also has a nice elegance about it. Very nice acidity on the palate, with orange spice and hazelnuts. There is just a touch of bitterness on the long finish, but otherwise a solid dry White Port. – September 29, 2021

Orange-yellow in color. Clear. Apricots and dried fruit on the nose. This dry style is complex but has a nice elegance about it. Very nice acidity on the palate, with orange spice and hazelnuts. The age of the blend is probably around 22 years old. There is just a touch of bitterness on the long finish, but otherwise a solid dry white Port. – September 29, 2021

Orange-yellow in color. Light cedar on the nose with roasted nuts, vanilla bean, and burnt marshmallow. Great complexity. Some light smokey notes on the palate along with creme brulee crust. There is a good balance between the sweetness and the acidity. – September 29, 2021

Orange-golden in color. Toasted sweet bread, tropical fruits, and amaretto notes on the nose. The palate has roasted nuts and some touches of honey. This wine has noticeable, but well-balanced acidity on the very long finish. – September 29, 2021

This blend is closer to a 27-28 year old average. Orange-yellow in color. Vanilla, cream caramel, and some light notes of oak on the nose. Exceptionally smooth flavor profile with honey and some butterscotch notes. It has a very long, smooth finish with some great acidity and balance. – September 29, 2021

Amber-brown in color. Mahogany, molasses, some dried fruits and an odd but wonderful brown sugar barbecue sauce on the nose. The palate has a rich flavor profile of vanilla and cream brulee. Intense flavor profile and wonderful acidity. Extremely balanced. While many 40 Year Old Tawny Ports are normally rich and viscous, this one is medium bodied but it is very ethereal and complex with a softness and elegance. Wonderfully refreshing for a 40 Year Old Tawny Port. – September 29, 2021

Almost impenetrable dark purple in color. Fresh, dark fruit with blueberries and herbs on the nose. The Touriga Nacional grapes jump out on the palate as well as dusty tannins. Very nice balance on the mid-palate, though the tannins are still present among the dark fruit, blueberry and dark plum. Very long, balanced finished with cranberry and boysenberry. – September 29, 2021

Almost nearly opaque with a deep violet color. Floral notes of violets and carnations on the nose. Tannins are noticeable on the palate, with nice notes of plum and some black pepper. It has a very long finish with dark fruit coming through on the end of the finish. The Tinta Franca really stands out on the nose and the palate. – September 29, 2021

What might have been the 2019 Vintage Port ended up not declared as a vintage year but will be bottled as a Late Bottled Vintage Port instead. – September 29, 2021

Made from Codega, Cerceal, and Viosinho white grape varieties. Golden-white in color. Intense spice and tropical fruits on the nose with pineapple and white peach. The sweetness and acidity are well-balanced on the palate. Great acidity on the very long finish. – September 29, 2021

Amber-orange in color. Rich caramel burnt sugar and cedar notes on the nose. Smooth vanilla and caramel on the palate with amazing acidity and complexity. Bright acidity on the very long finish. – September 29, 2021

The “Mother Wine” for this blend is a 1984 White Port. Golden-white in color. Tropical notes of grilled pineapple, caramel, and hazelnuts on the nose. Intense rich palate with complex tropical fruits, burnt sugar, and extremely well-balanced acidity. – September 29, 2021

Amber-orange in color. Subdued nose with some wood and caramel notes. Vanilla, some butterscotch, and bright acidity on the palate. A touch of bitterness at the tail end of the palate. Very long finish. 92 points. – September 29, 2021

Golden amber in color. Banana, tropical fruit, and a touch of vanilla cream on the nose. Rich, intense palate with light spice, some honey and white peach notes. Very long finish with just a touch of heat. – September 29, 2021

Amber-brown in color. Some light hints of caramel and brown sugar on the subtle nose. Rich, intense palate with burnt sugar and some cinnamon notes. It has a very long finish with almond skin bitterness, bright acidity, some spice, and noticeable tannins. – September 29, 2021

Dark golden-yellow in color. Perfumed floral and honey on the nose with some amazing freshness. Extremely smooth tropical fruit, honey, and fantastic balance of sweetness and lively acidity. This seems much younger than a 40 Year Old Tawny Port. – September 29, 2021

Amber-brown in color. Subdued nose of mahogany, molasses, and a touch of caramel. Very smooth palate with well-balanced sugar and acidity. This is a great sipper! I expected a larger body from this wine, so this might be some slight bottle variation. – September 29, 2021

This is a blend of wines from 1962 and 1967. Orange spice and some extremely complex tropical fruits on the nose. Incredibly rich palate with notes of creme brulee, caramel, tropical fruit, and intense acidity. Amazingly long, rich finish with bright but balanced acidity. – September 29, 2021

This blend includes wines from 1880, 1900, 1910 and finally 1927 (in honor of the birth year of Miguel’s father, Mario Braga, who founded Quinta do Mourão). The wine is dark amber-brown in color with a tinge of gold and green on the edges. There is off-the-charts complexity on the nose with wave after wave of torrefacted sugars, herbs, grilled pineapple, and some dark mahogany. The palate matches the complexity, with a rich, viscous mouthfeel highlighted by sweet notes of toasted marshmallow, toffee, and a fresh, lively acidity. The finish is extremely long and harmonious, with the beautiful acidity and complexity lingering for minutes after each swallow. – September 29, 2021

This is a blend of wine from the 1955 and 1958 harvests. It has been aged in neutral American oak. It has a complex, rich tropical nose of guava and pineapple along with some fig and honey. It has a smooth entry on the palate with rich tropical fruit, honey, and notes of vanilla. The finish is smooth with great balance and sweetness. – September 29, 2021

Cask sample. Very dark amber-brown in color. Intense toffee, espresso, caramel, and great notes of Vinegrenio (little vinegar). So many complex flavors. Great intensity on the mid-palate, and as well as great balance on the rich long finish. – September 29, 2021

This is a blend of wines from 1895 and 1927, which we usually call the “old” blend of this wine. The “new” blend comes from three different vintages, which (if I recall correctly, came from 1890, 1905, and 1927). Dark brown in color with noticeable viscosity when I swirled the wine in my glass. On the nose, I noted salted caramel, lime, expressive cedar, and dark rich espresso. Extremely full-bodied with an intensity and laser-focused acidity that was really something special. Nevertheless, the wine was exceptionally balanced, with the acidity and syrupy sweetness playing very nicely against each other. The finish on this wine went on for minutes, with waves of complex flavors. 99 points. – September 29, 2021

Cask sample. Not a blend. This is the “Mother Wine” of the 40 Year Old Tawny Port. Incredibly intense notes of caramel, espresso powder, cedar, and orange spice. Rich, viscus palate with intense chocolate, espresso and burnt sugar. Very long, rich finish. – September 29, 2021

Cask sample. Not a blend. This is the “Mother Wine” of the 30 Years Old Tawny Port. There are six different casks of this wine. There are very nice notes of cedar and caramel on the nose. The palate has a rich orange spice with nice acidity. There are chocolate notes on the long finish, with a little bit of bitterness on the tail end of the finish. – September 29, 2021

Vinho Generoso #1. Intense nose of caramelized tropical fruits, honey, dried apricots and an absolutely amazingly intense mouthful. There are so many things happening in this wine. The palate dances with toffee, caramel, burnt sugar, and cocoa powder. The intense, complex finish goes on for minutes! – September 29, 2021

Vinho Generoso #2. Mocha-brown in color with yellow on the edges. It is so thick and viscous that it leaves a yellow coating on the glass when swirled. Intense chocolate and dark mahogany varnish notes. Syrup-like body with crazy complexity of milk chocolate, toffee, espresso, vinagrinho (little vinegar), toasted nuts and burnt sugar. The finish goes on forever and the color remains in the glass. Wow. Just wow. – September 29, 2021

Bottled after 10 months in used barrels. This wine was produced from grapes on the main property at Quinta da Fonte. The wine is pale yellow-white in color. It has crisp, fresh notes of tropical fruit, and some really nice acidity. There is a rich mouthfeel of apple and fresh pineapple, and the balanced acidity carries through on the finish. N/R. – September 28, 2021

This is a small production Douro red wine of the Touriga Francesca grape varietal. The whole grape clusters, from their vineyards are Quinta do Roncäo Pequeno, were foot trodden in small lagars to ensure that there was not too much extraction. The wine spent two months in barrel and then was moved to stainless steel tanks. Only 600 bottles were produced. Light purple in color with almost pink on the edges. Nose of green olives, floral notes, and noticeable tannins. – September 28, 2021

This wine is really a 15-year-old White Port and has been in bottle for three to four years. The grapes used for this wine come from the family vineyards at Quinta da Fonte. Golden yellow in color. Tropical notes with some spices and almonds on the nose. The palate is fresh with some subtle hints of tropical fruits and with a rich, spirity finish. This semi-dry style is nice, but not the style I typically prefer. The lack of sweetness makes this wine seem a little out of balance with the acidity. Very long finish. – September 28, 2021

Deep, yellow-orange in color. This blend averages over 30 years in age and has notes of tropical fruits with some caramel and rich butterscotch on the nose. The smooth, rich flavor profile has nuts, some dried tropical fruits and some spices. The finish is long, with lively, but well-balanced acidity. – September 28, 2021

Vibrant purple in color. Raspberry and red fruit on the nose. Noticeable tannins on the palate with red fruit underneath. Long finish with pomegranate and some cherry notes. – September 28, 2021

Purple with fuchsia edges. Very nice nose of cherry and red fruit. Well-structured red, with balanced tannins and fruit. Extremely balanced, long finish with fantastic sour cherry notes. – September 28, 2021

Bright orange-yellow in color. Intense orange spice with vanilla, caramel, and some spirit on the nose. It has a rich, intense mouthful of orange, burnt sugar and some light acidity. The back end of the palate resolves into a smooth, balanced finish. – September 28, 2021

Nose of fresh raspberries and red fruit. Smooth, fresh palate of red fruit with tannins popping up on the mid palate. Well-balanced, long finish of boysenberry and cranberry. – September 28, 2021

Dark purple in color with slight garnet on the edges. Cranberry, boysenberry, and brambleberry on the nose. Intense mouthfeel with tannins immediately present. On the mid-palate, the tannins give way slightly to some very nice sour cherry and raspberry notes. This is a full-bodied wine, and the tannins are just beginning to integrate with the fruit. I believe this is going to evolve into a very nice wine. Very long finish. – September 28, 2021

Very dark purple in color. Floral and red fruit on the nose. The tannins are immediately noticeable on the entry, but they seem to be well on their way to integrating with the fruit. There is a slight bitterness on the mid-palate, but otherwise a very nice flavor profile. There is a nice long finish highlighted by subtle red fruits and some slight herbal notes. – September 28, 2021

Golden-white in color. There is a crisp mineral nose with white Peach and some wet slate. It has a crisp, rich mouthfeel with toasted notes, stone fruit, and extremely balanced tannins. Green apple, bright acidity, and nice balance on the long finish. – September 28, 2021

880 bottles produced. This wine is a field blend produced from the M7 plot at Quinta dos Muros, and the blend has over 29 different varieties. The vines average over 50 years of age. Extremely complex nose of tobacco leaf, dusty red cherry, and deep earthy notes. Rich, extremely balanced and complex mouthfeel with wonderful age and elegance, but with depth and complexity that is quite amazing. Red fruit, cherry, and some light spice on the palate. Very long finish. – September 28, 2021

This limited production wine is made from a blend of Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz and Touriga Francesa. It has a nose of red bramble fruit with some touches of slate. Massive tannins on the approach with red fruit underneath. This is a powerful wine but seems like it can use a little time to resolve the tannins and fruit. – September 28, 2021

Grapes for this Port come mostly from Quinta dos Muros and Quinta da Manuela. The color is a dark, impenetrable purple. Primary blueberry and dark plum on the nose. Surprisingly balanced on the palate. Dark fruit on the middle and tail end of the palate with the tannins reappearing on the long finish. – September 28, 2021

Quinta dos Muros, located on the East slopes of the Pinhão river valley, is the oldest estate of the Mansilha family. This wine is opaque, dark purple in color. It shows primary fruit with some cherry and some light herbal notes along with a touch of spirit. Rich boysenberry and red currant on the palate, with pronounced tannins and a hint of spirit. Fine grained tannins on the very long finish. – September 28, 2021

Bottled in 2021.Light orange-yellow in color. Tropical fruit with banana, papaya, and lemon zest on the nose. On the palate there are sweet, refreshing notes of grilled pineapple, passion fruit, and honey. There is a bright acidity that helps balance out the rich sweetness. Nice long finish with the sugars just edging out the acidity. – September 28, 2021

Bottled in 2018. This fortified Moscatel wine was the first wine from the Douro with the Moscatel Reserva designation. A vibrant orange-amber in color. On the nose there is fresh baked tropical fruit compote. Great, balanced acidity on the palate with navel orange, green apple, and a hint of roasted almonds. Very long, rich finish. – September 28, 2021

Cask sample (Cask 2031). There is old oak wood, caramel, and roasted nuts on the nose. It has a rich intensity on the palate with some residual red fruit and very nice notes of caramel and vanilla. The acidity is lively and pleasant. Long, balanced finish. – September 28, 2021

Cask sample (Cask 1564). Amber-orange in color. Very nice notes of hazelnut, toffee, and light orange spice on the nose. The palate is well-integrated with a very rich flavor profile and very nice acidity. The palate shows Christmas spices, toasted nuts, and dried citrus fruit. It has a great, long finish that shows notes of roasted nuts and caramel. 94 points. – September 28, 2021

Cask sample (Cask 1353). This wine was blended in 2018. Brown-orange with yellow on the edge. Rich molasses, salted caramel, espresso, dried fruit, and wood notes on the nose. On the palate I noted complex chocolate notes (swirls of dark chocolate and then sweet cocoa powder), and some high-toned petrol notes similar to a Riesling. Rich complexity. The finish was smooth, with mocha, molasses, brown sugar, and exceptionally balanced acidity. Wow! – September 28, 2021

Date unknown. This wine was bought from a small producer with no records. It was first purchased in barrel, although the wine was apparently not reacting well when they moved it into their own barrels. They then moved the wine into glass demi-johns (this was #5 of 7) in 2014. This wine probably has some muscatel grapes in it. It is dark mahogany in color. There is an intense nose of citrus with subtle cocoa powder and herbal notes underneath. The nose shows a good deal of age – they told us they believed that the wine was around 90 years old when acquired. I guessed it was about 100 years old based on the aromas, and that puts it in a similar timeframe. While the nose suggests a very old wine, the surprisingly lively acidity that you find on very old, well-aged tawnies show up here to back up the claim. There is an incredible intensity of sweet caramel, burnt sugar, and wonderful rich spices. Extremely long finish with intensity with waves of complex flavors. – September 28, 2021

Golden amber in color. Fresh tropical fruits and floral notes on the nose. There is an interesting mix of honey and ginger on the palate. The acidity is bright, and it has a refreshing, long finish. floral notes on the finish. – September 28, 2021

Dark ruby-purple in color with dark fruit, violets, and a touch of mocha powder on the nose. Rich blackberry, dark cherry, and boysenberry on the palate. I was worried about this wine’s longevity, as this wine seemed like it was blended to be consumed early in its life, but I am pleasantly surprised at how well the structure and tannins have helped this wine age gracefully. – September 28, 2021

This is one of my favorite Vintage Ports from Portal. In an “off” year, they managed to produce a wine that not only has great structure and staying power but is also very easy to drink. Black currant and boysenberry on the nose, with dark fruit and luscious blackberry and blueberry on the palate. The structure is great, and the wine has good balance. Long finish. – September 28, 2021

Cask sample. Bright orange in color with yellow on the rim. Cedar, orange spies and rich caramel on the nose. Extremely smooth, rich, and complex mouthfeel. Vanilla, rich butterscotch and incredibly vibrant palette. Warm spice and some very pleasant tannins on the finish. This is probably around 50 years old. – September 27, 2021

Cask sample. Malvasia and Códega grapes. Yellow straw in color. Pedro guessed is this is a 15 year old White Port. This wine is used as a base “mother wine” for blending. Tropical fruit – mango and white Peach – on the nose. Sweet profile with some light grilled pineapple on the palate. Smooth flavor profile. – September 27, 2021

Cask sample. Bronze-yellow in color with light yellow on the edges. Great nose of fresh citrus and honey. There is also some burnt sugar notes underneath some exceptional lemon and pralines. Rich complexity, rich mouthfeel and amazing acidity. This sings through the mid palate and ends with a very long smooth finish. – September 27, 2021

Cask sample. Over 50 years old. Amber-orange in color. Old wood, spirit and almost a little hint of VA on the nose. On the palate, there are dates, pralines and orange peel with some sharp acidity and burnt sugar. Decently balanced mid-palate, although there is just a touch of bitterness. Smooth, long finish with very nice acidity. – September 27, 2021

Cask sample. More than 80 years old. Bright amber in color with yellow edges that trend toward green. Mahogany, espresso, and molasses on the nose. Incredibly intense flavor profile. Wow! Intense, complex notes of toffee, burnt sugar, and espresso. A very old wine that has maintained complexity and balance of the acidity and sweetness. – September 27, 2021

Amber-brown in color. Creme brûlée crust, citrus and a touch of tropical fruit on the nose. Rich mouthfeel though there is a touch of bitterness on the pallet that masks some of the wonderful caramel and nutty notes. – September 27, 2021