September 30, 2021 - 2021 FTLOP Harvest Tour; 9/19/2021-10/2/2021 (Portgugal): 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.
May 13, 2020 - Nice but after the end of a looong wine night.
February 2, 2020 - Glowing dark purple violet. Red berries and significant alcohol on the nose. Notes of rich, ripe blackberries with a bit of bramble, very fruit forward, delicious.
February 24, 2019 - Blend: Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Amarela, Sousão, Alicante Bouschet
from 133 ha on the south bank of the Douro at 130-530 m.
Foot trodden on granite lagares and fed by gravity into large vats made of old chestnut wood.
A simple cooling system is the only addition to the centuries old traditional method.
20% Abv. 1,250 cases
Proprietor: Symington Family Estates
A(ccuracy)=2: Deep ruby/purple. Intensely fragrant blend.
B(alance)=3: Distinctive components in harmony.
C(omplexity)=2: Dark berries preserve/jam, pepper, smoke.
D(epth)=2: Unctuous mouthfeel. Savory palate and lingering finish.
Wine Tally Score [2,3,2,2] = 9/10
Elegant exuberance.
For story-telling label graphics, see:
[https://www.facebook.com/WineTally/]
[https://www.instagram.com/WineTally/]
December 4, 2016 - Purple hue, the nose exhudes dark cherry, dried fruits. Tannins are soft and chewy, showing extremely well integrated despite its young age, with many layers of dark fruit coating the palate. Long finish with acidity, contained sweetness. How am I gonna avoid drinking the other bottles before they get 10 years old ??
September 20, 2016 - 2016 Port Harvest Tour; 9/18/2016-9/25/2016 (Portugal): Impenetrable purple in color. Tight nose, with some mint peeking through the red fruit. Dried fruits, pronounced tannins on the palate. Very long finish with firm tannins.
February 12, 2016 - Kirsebær og mineraler, blomster, lær. Full kropp, nydelig syre, lang og flott syre.
June 11, 2015 - Drank over two days. The bouquet showed highly appealing candied, spiced citrus, and citrus peel elements, along with floral, persimmon, and raspberry notes, particularly on the second day. It also showed noticeable earthy and rocky notes (dare I say volcanic?) including ash and coal. The wine featured a stunning and bracing texture on the palate that commanded attention in the best possible ways. Generous and palate coating, with high acid and absolutely rockin' tannins. Though primary, the wine stood out for its balance and roundness. Ridiculously long finish. Packed with mind-bending goodness from cork pull to the (very) last drop. 95-97.
December 13, 2014 - Didn't last long! Super primary but oh so much fun to drink. I will be getting more for the long haul.
November 15, 2013 - I won't score this wine because it is pointless at this stage. Suffice to say that it had all the expected potential, incredibly primary aromas of leafy, lactic fruit, good acidity and denture-rocking tannins. Felt slightly less sweet than some other houses, more in the traditional Dow mould. Far from integrated and only fair to taste now if you absolutely positively need to assess trajectory. Stay away for at least 20 years.