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Portugal
Portugal
Tasted September 18, 2016 - September 25, 2016 by aagrawal with 483 views
Introduction
An incredible trip to Portugal with excellent wine tastings. I didn't include some lesser known bottles that weren't in cellartracker that we often had with dinner, but those were often good as well.
Flight 1 - Day 1: Crab lunch (1 note)
White
2014 Aveleda Vinho Verde Quinta da Aveleda
88 points
From a 375. Lemon-green; minerals, slate, slight lime; palate is light bodied, medium-plus acid, low alcohol, nice length, lemony citrus, minerals; medium finish. Excellent balance and nice length for the affordable price of 8 euros a half bottle in a restaurant. 88
Flight 2 - Day 1: Time Out Market Dinner, Mercado da Ribeira (3 notes)
This was an incredible market with the most gourmet food court I've ever seen. I could have eaten 5 meals here.
White
2011 Caves Messias Dão Quinta do Penedo
87 points
Not sure of the vintage. Slightly aromatic with citrus, slight tropical fruit; full bodied but medium-plus to high acid, citrus, lime, slight peach; medium finish. Quite nice. 87-88
Red
2013 Companhia das Lezirias Tyto Alba Tinto
83 points
Slightly spicy, ripe red fruit; palate is ripe, rounded, low acid, smooth integrated light tannin, full bodied. Entry level and drinkable but not much more character. 83-84
White - Fortified
N.V. José Maria da Fonseca Moscatel de Setúbal Alambre 10 Years
89 points
Burnt orange; Aromatic nose with orange blossom, slight caramel, some oxidation, nutty; medium bodied, nice medium acidity, alcohol is medium-plus but well balanced, medium balanced sweetness, some white fruit and caramel, quite nutty; medium finish. Very nice style of wine, pairs well with food, and a nice surprising discovery for me. 89-90
Flight 3 - Day 3: Quinta do Panascal (5 notes)
This is a Fonseca property. I wasn't impressed by the white port but the others were decent. No standouts. The Terra Prima was a value buy, though I haven't seen it in the US.
White - Fortified
N.V. Fonseca Porto Siroco
80 points
2 months to drink after it is opened. Dry white port. Golden color; mildly aromatic with some nuttiness, almonds; palate is full bodied, dry, high alcohol with a bit of heat, slight malo or buttery; medium finish. Lacks the fruit for me. 80
Red - Fortified
2009 Fonseca Porto Late Bottled Vintage Unfiltered
87 points
4 months to drink once opened. Reticent nose; palate is full bodied, still quite tannic, plum fruit, red fruit; medium finish. Nice but I would spend my money towards vintage port. 87
Red - Fortified
N.V. Fonseca Porto Terra Prima Organic Reserve
89 points
4 months to drink once opened. Nice nose with red fruit, almost a slightly floral quality; palate is full bodied, plenty of red fruit, cherry, plum; finish is medium length. More approachable, brighter, and easier to drink now than the 2009 LBV. 89
Red - Fortified
N.V. Fonseca Porto 20 Year Old Tawny
90 points
6 months to drink once opened. Tawny color; caramel, nutty; palate has slight spice, nutty, more secondary complexity; medium finish. Very nice but pricey at 45 euros. 90
Red - Fortified
2012 Fonseca Porto Guimaraens Vintage
91 points
48 hours to drink once opened. Moderately aromatic nose with black plummy fruit; palate is full bodied, nice youthful red fruit, good density, medium acidity, high alcohol but balanced well, high tannin; medium-plus finish. Nice but very young. 91
Flight 4 - Day 3: Quinta do Bomfim (5 notes)
The vintage ports were stunning. Impeccably balanced, though I preferred the 1995 Quinta do vesuvio. Very nice wines overall. The dry white and red were interesting as well, and the red could have been great with a bit more integration on the palate.
White
2015 Symington Douro Altano Branco
87 points
Lemon-yellow; moderately aromatic nose with cream, slight minerals, lemon; palate is full bodied, slight oak, lemon, fresh medium acidity; medium finish. Reminds me of a Burgundy with decent acidity, but doesn't rise to exceptional heights. 87
Red
2012 Quinta do Vesuvio Douro
88 points
Ruby-purple; highly aromatic nose with black pepper, spice, melange of red and black fruits; palate is medium bodied, medium tannin still very prominent, red fruit; medium finish. The nose on this reminds me of an excellent balanced Zinfandel but the palate is just a tad disjointed. May actually improve with a few years? Nice character. 88
Red - Fortified
2011 Dow Porto Late Bottled Vintage
87 points
Deep ruby; sweet red fruit, almost candied nose, a little floral; palate is full bodied, medium-high present tannins, high alcohol but well integrated, plenty of red fruit; medium sweet finish. A bit sweet and still with prominent tannins that make this challenging to enjoy now, though that is the intention. 87-88
Red - Fortified
2005 Dow Porto Vintage Quinta do Bomfim
93 points
Youthful deep ruby; really nice spice on the aromatic nose, plenty of red and plum fruits; palate is full bodied but very smooth, integrated medium tannins that are almost silky, plenty of fresh integrated red fruit, medium to medium-plus fresh acidity; long finish. This is a superb young port with exceptional balance, has the stuffing to age. 93-94
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Red - Fortified
1995 Quinta do Vesuvio Porto Vintage
95 points
Ruby with slight hints of bricking; aromatic nose with spice; palate is incredibly complex with plenty of fruit, nutty, spices, integrated medium-plus tannin, medium-plus acid, high alcohol but well balanced; long finish. On the nose I almost like the 2005 Quinta do Bomfim better, but the palate is where this really shines. 93-95
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Flight 5 - DOC Rui Paula restaurant (1 note)
White
2013 Muxagat Vinhos Douro Os Xistos Altos
90 points
50 euros on the list of DOC Rui Paula. Aromatic with rich waxy aroma, citrus skin; palate is full bodied, rich texture with medium-plus acidity, waxy, citrus; medium finish. Very nice but expensive for the quality. May age well as rabigato is semillon. 90
Flight 6 - Ramos Pinto (2 notes)
White
N.V. Ramos Pinto Douro Adriano Branco
83 points
This was the white Porto riserva. Golden color; some heat, burnt orange; Palate is medium-full bodied, moderate sweetness, medium-minus acidity, fades on the midpalate; medium-short finish. Drinkable but I haven't yet had a white port I would search out. 82-84
Red - Fortified
N.V. Ramos Pinto Porto Fine Tawny Port Adriano
84 points
7 year tawny port. Ruby-tawny mixed color; nose has spicy moderate aromas, slight red fruit, slight burnt aroma; palate is full, slightly overly sweet, medium acid, high alcohol, some fruit at the beginning that faded toward the finish; short finish. Decent but not impressive. 84-85
Flight 7 - Mozambique crab dinner (1 note)
White
2014 Adega Vila Real Douro Reserva Branco
85 points
Blend including Malvasia and viosinho
Yellow-golden; moderately aromatic with slight peach, slight lime; palate is medium bodied, medium fresh acid, clean Limey note; medium finish. Nice. 85
Yellow-golden; moderately aromatic with slight peach, slight lime; palate is medium bodied, medium fresh acid, clean Limey note; medium finish. Nice. 85
Flight 8 - Sandeman tasting (2 notes)
White - Fortified
N.V. Sandeman Porto Apitiv White Port
85 points
Straw-golden color; mildly aromatic with some tropical fruit; palate is medium-full bodied, off-dry but not overly sweet; medium finish. 85-86
Red - Fortified
N.V. Sandeman Porto Reserve Tawny Imperial
86 points
Color is fairly ruby for a tawny, aged 7 years; nose is limited in its aromatics; palate is full bodied, integrated medium tannin, moderate sweetness, medium acidity, some red fruit; medium finish. Palate>>nose. Decent overall. 86-87
Flight 9 - Graham tasting (6 notes)
Red - Fortified
N.V. Graham Porto 30 Year Old Tawny
92 points
Rich tawny color; nose is highly aromatic with figs, caramel, very smooth aromas and well integrated, no heat, some smoky complexity; palate is rich, full bodied, spicy, caramel, high alcohol but well integrated, plenty of flavor; medium finish and fades just a tad sooner than expected. This is elegant and refined with plenty of complexity. 92-93
Red - Fortified
N.V. Graham Porto 40 Year Old Tawny
93 points
Rich tawny-copper color; moderate intensity but superbly integrated with elegant spice, tobacco and cigar smoke, caramel; palate is full bodied but with much higher acidity than the 30 year, less sweetness, nice spice, overall more about its integration and elegance and tertiary character than even the 30 year. Not better, just different. This requires a bit more thought. 92-93
Red - Fortified
1972 Graham Porto Single Harvest Tawny
94 points
Noticeably deeper in color than the 30 and 40 year tawny with more golden-copper notes; nose is aromatic, burnt sugar, caramel, slight heat; palate is full bodied, more sweetness than the 30 or 40 year tawny, medium-plus acidity like the 40 year but with more richness, caramel, slight heat, good intensity; long finish. Overall I can see how it is less polished than the 30 and 40 year (they can smooth out differences with blending), but I kind of like the vibrancy and character. Nice, though pricey. 93-95
Red - Fortified
2007 Graham Porto Vintage
94 points
Deep ruby color; highly aromatic nose with Asian spices, cranberry, fresh red fruit, no heat; palate is full bodied, medium-plus sweetness, ripe red fruit, tannins are surprisingly integrated and medium for such a young port, very approachable, medium tannins, alcohol superbly integrated, figs, plum; medium-long finish. This is an excellent young port, though I'm curious how the very ripe fruit will age with time. 93-95+
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Red - Fortified
2000 Graham Porto Vintage
90 points
Ruby color, no bricking; nose is reticent with some spice but not much else; palate is full bodied, cassis, some black fruit, tannins are medium-plus and still need time to integrate, medium acid, medium sweetness; medium finish. I don't think this is showing at its best, though right now is good but lacks character and intensity on the nose. If you have any, wait. 90
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Red - Fortified
1983 Graham Porto Vintage
94 points
Ruby with slight bricking appropriate for age; nose is moderately aromatic, well integrated, spice with residual red fruit; palate is full bodied, integrated red fruits with plenty of spicy complexity, sweetness is moderate and in balance, medium balanced acidity, medium soft integrated tannins, developing tertiary character; medium-plus finish with some Christmas spice. The nose could use a bit more intensity, but the palate makes up for it with its complexity and balance. Nicely integrated, drinking well now. 94-95+
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Flight 10 - Dinner at O'Paparico (2 notes)
Lovely inventive dinner well deserving of its Michelin star, possibly deserving a second. The wines were excellent picks by the sommelier to pair with the diverse foods.
White
2007 Anselmo Mendes Alvarinho
94 points
13.5% vinho verde, Albariño. Lovely golden color; lovely aromatic nose with honey, orange blossom, rich aromas; palate is full bodied, excellent freshness with medium-plus acidity, minerality, balanced alcohol, nice texture; medium finish. The nose reminds me of aged Chenin blanc, and the palate of a white burgundy. This was an experience, something I've never had before (aged vinho verde). 94
Red
2004 Quinta de Covela Vinho Regional Minho Colheita Selecionada
92 points
Blend of touriga nacional and Cabernet Sauvignon. 14% alcohol and aged in French oak. Medium ruby with slight bricking; nose is moderately aromatic with red fruit and cherries, very slight tobacco; palate is medium-full bodied, medium tannins mostly integrated, fresh medium acidity, nice concentration of red fruit; medium finish. Very well balanced and starting to show integration from age. Excellent with the food but falls short of outstanding. 91
2 hours of decanting: the nose is more aromatic with more spice, red fruit; palate also has more spice, more fruit. Really nice, and I think this has years of development ahead of it. 92-94
2 hours of decanting: the nose is more aromatic with more spice, red fruit; palate also has more spice, more fruit. Really nice, and I think this has years of development ahead of it. 92-94
Flight 11 - O'marinhiero - dinner at the sailor (2 notes)
White
2015 Adega Coop. de Ponte de Lima Vinho Verde Ponte Branco
85 points
From a 375. Pale yellow; light aromatics with minerals, freshness; palate is medium bodied, high acidity almost effervescent, plenty of slate and minerals; medium finish. Nice. 85
Red
2015 Casa Ferreirinha Douro Esteva
82 points
From a 375. Plenty of red fruit, fairly ripe and mushy, slight spice; palate is full bodied, medium tannins, plenty of fruit, though it lacks complexity and fades quickly through the palate; short finish. Decent drinker, but only as a value wine. 82-83