A nice deep amber with an orange rim. The nose is spicy with some tingly alcohol. Also present are caramel, praline, and dried orange peel. Somewhat monolithic on the palate. Medium to full body on the palate, lush and round with a slippery mouth feel. Softer acidity. The finish shows a touch of oxidation, stronger acidity, some tannin, caramel, and spice. A very nice wine to sip and contemplate.

Light caramel tan in color with an tinge of orange. The nose was reticent but gives some dried cherry. Opens up more in the glass to reveal spice, clove, and wood. A round lush sweet mouth feel with very nice acidity. Some bitter chocolate on the finish that may be a result of tannin. Complex and interesting.

Medium caramel in color. Rich caramel, spicy nose of clove and cinnamon. Excellent weight and mouth feel on the palate, sweet and smooth. Lovely acidity. Long complex finish of wood, maple, walnuts, and dried fruit. Wonderful balance and very elegent. A gorgeous bottle of wine and my favorite compared to the '64 and '71 Noval.

Bottled in 2004. The nose is lovely with some dried cherry, caramel, praline, and grapefruit. Smooth on the palate, full of elegance and finesse. Great balance. A hint of orange peel on the finish. 24 hours later this shows very well. Great mouth feel with very nice acidity. There is some tannin showing on the finish

A medium dark tawny color. The nose is initially reticent but opens up nicely in the glass to reveal caramel, maple, butterscotch, and nuts. Pretty good acidity and a medium weight palate. A long nutty finish with some warmth and spice. Well balanced.

This was bottled in 2005. A darker mahogany color with a tinge of ruby red to it. A dirty stinky nose. A very strong aroma of beef broth, tar, sulphur, and scorched wood. Sweet and simple on the palate, moderate acidity. 24 hours later, the nose has cleaned up some. Now, 4 days later the nose is more like when initially poured. Very funky. Not sure what is going on here, it is a very confusing bottle. Much better on the palate but the nose is a major detractor.

Dark carmelized sugar color. The nose is caramel and sweet with praline's and walnut. Medium weight elegant mouth feel. Some nice acidity with noticeable heat on the finish.

Light mahogany color with a tough of ruby red. Clear orange rim. Some praline and spice on the nose. Full body and intense on the palate. Very long finish with caramel, nuts, and wood. A little alcohol but it doesn't get in the way. Elegant and well balanced. Extended decanting shows much improvement. Initially I had this around a 91 but 24 hours later everything really comes together and shows a very pretty Colheita.

This was bottled in 1998 so it's kind of like a 60 year tawny. A light mahogany color with some sediment. The nose is full of beef bouillon, some coffee and has a madeira-ish / oxidised feel to it. On the palate the wine is round, lush, and sweet. There is noticeable spirit that gets in the way on the palate. Moderate complexity with a medium length finish. Oveall, a very nice colheita and it is somewhat humbling to think of all the history that has passed while this was ageing quietly in Portugal.

24 hours later, this has cleaned up a lot. The palate has a wonderful texture to it that is very unctuous. Still spirity though. The nose has cleaned up a lot and actually seems less oxidised tonight. I'm also picking up some dates and other hints of dried fruit.

72 hours later, the beef boulion component is back. Still a wonderful unctuous texture and the alcohol is mostly integrated. A nicely complex bottle that is interesting. Similar on the nose to the '78 Rocha but nowhere near as offensive.

9 days later, the nose is clean but reticent. A little caramel, nutmeg, and dates. The palate has good weight, nice acidity but still shows some spirit.

This was bottled in 2005. The color is a dark copper, kind of like a penny from 1983. The nose is deep, and enticing. It's got dried cherries, baking spices, coffee, dates, caramel, and pralines. Good balance on the palate with nice big acidity and even some very subtle tannin. Long, very complex finish with a slightly bitter walnut taste.

24 hours later, it is much the same. Still very enjoyable.

9 days later, this still rocks. A complex melange of aromas on the nose. Thick rich mouth feel with nicely focused acidity. Well integrated alcohol. Seamless and complex. Ultra long finish.

Initially a very reticent nose. It slowly opened up in the glass to reveal some dried fruit and nuts. On the palate this shows good weight and elegance with mouth watering acidity. A smooth, long warm finish. Moderate complexity.

9 days later, I think this shows some improvement. A little lighter and not as brash as the '52 Rocha. It is smooth and elegant. The alcohol is well integrated and the finish is subtle with a touch of clove, cinnamon, and caramel. On the palate, there is a small amount of tannin and the acidity is not as pronounced as a week ago.

Intensely dark, nearly opaque red/purple. Some very fine sediment is suspended. The nose is open and expressive with hints of plum, blackberry, earth, and a hint of smoke. Huge mouth puckering tannins with pretty good acidty. The finish is clipped short by the tannins. Lots of potential here but this needs some time for the tannins to resolve

This wine is a beautiful dark violet / red. The nose is rich and complex with lots of dark fruit, earth, and leather. Medium to full body, the wine is well balanced and nicely structured. Long finish with some plum and tobacco leaf. Still going strong 24 hours later. Will evolve wonderfully for several years. If drinking now, decant for a couple hours.

I did not take any notes but I recall a wine that showed very much like a Meursault. Nice minerality, a full mouth feel. Good length on the finish. A spectacular white from Portugal. This shows much better at 60 to 65 degrees with a few hours of air.

Consumed with the first course of a 10 course tasting menu. Paired with zuccini and mint soup. A satisfactory pairing. I did not take detailed notes on the wine but I recall good balance, medium body, some honey, apple, and citrus on the nose. This is a lighter elegant style of Champagne, not like the big bready, yeasty, toasty Champagnes. Overall, very enjoyable.