Decanted about 4 hours. Showing some bricking in the color, though mostly holding its original. On the palate dusty tannins are still prominent then a wave of dried red berries barrels through. A slight green steminess sneaks into the mix on the mid-palate followed by dry tea leaf and more red berries. The finish is a seamless continuation of the palate that lingers for a long time. Having had this many times since release, it is now hitting prime time as those secondary characteristics are being more prominent. My only slight concern for longer term is the tannins are still very much in the forefront compared to where the fruit is heading. None the less, this is still an amazingly good wine. 94 Points
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My last record of having this, or that I can recall, was almost 9 years ago. So time to check in and see how it's coming along. Decanted 6 hours by the time of this note, but consumed starting 4 hours into decanting. The color and fruit doesn't show any signs of fading almost 14 years later. This started out very tight and reserved and I wasn't too keen on it as it mostly showed too much oak, little fruit, and a clipped finish. A couple hours later that finally started to change as the blackberries came out and so did some minty/eucalyptus, mixed in with some unresolved oak, a large dose of tannins, and a much longer finish. But at this point it isn't as expressive or showing as complex as it has been in the past. I suspect this is in an awkward phase at the moment and needs more time in the cellar to emerge and show it's previous greatness. The potential is here, but at this point this just isn't as expressive and complex as it showed when younger so my score is probably a bit on the conservative side.
92 Points
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I took this to the wake of an old friend who committed suicide. It was a pot-luck, BYOB, at her sister's house. Many people brought great wines to celebrate her life. This wine was in good company, and held its own.
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Damn good wine. Nose of plum and fig. Great mouthfeel on the palate. I did not find that the fruit had faded but was well balanced with notes of blackberry chocolate and leather. Well integrated tannins and great balance. Medium long finish. I will hold my remaining bottle for another 5 to 8 years.
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Have to admit I expected a little more so the rating is for this showing, of course. Cigar box-like spice really dominated the nose during decant and the drinking experience 2-3 hours later. The wine was quite tight and there was surprisingly little fruit. Could have been in a very muted stage as I didn't get much of the floral and secondary tones I would expect from even a lesser dry Duoro wine. The structure and mineral was still quite profound. Could be compared to a Cote Rotie of the same age. With three more bottles after my first experience I'll definitely be looking here to see which way this one goes.
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superb. decanted for over 3 hours before first taste. Initially strong fruits dominated (cherry, blackberry mainly) with some spiciness in bouquet and palate. Then a few hours later the tannins were more noticeable and also some nice chocolate overtones. Wanted to taste it the next day too- but it didn't last long enough.
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Alrighty - the last year and a half have been very good to this wine. The last bottle, enjoyed with Roy in 2008 took until Day 2 to show us the goods. This time, the wine was pumping from the time it was opened and by the end of the evening it was truly fantastic. Had this with a grilled porterhouse, and it was one of the most satisfying food/wine evenings I've had in a while...not complicated, but just perfect. This wine has the "appeal" (intensity and forward fruit) of an old vines Shiraz, but it has more depth to it than most of those wines are able to summon. Gorgeous minerality. Great mouthfeel and texture. Extraordinary wine.
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berries and port-like nose, full-bodied and intense, tree bark, honey and fig flavors, chewy, port characteristics but clearly not port, excellent and will hold up for years to come
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Tasted with Roy Hersh a few months back. This was considerably better on day 2. On the first night, even several hours of decanting could not coax this beast out of its shell. The tassting on the second day was more encouraging. This thing is huge, fascinating and possibly ageless. I won't waste any more of these in the near term. A keeper.
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Test Tasting Event (Sammamish, WA): Tasted at Quinta do Crasto in the Douro - Haunting nose. Very dark+! Really, really fine. Huge mid-palate. Extremely fine tannins. Super long finish. True grip. World class wine! 95+? points.
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4/1/2020 - cofidis2 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Decanted about 4 hours. Showing some bricking in the color, though mostly holding its original. On the palate dusty tannins are still prominent then a wave of dried red berries barrels through. A slight green steminess sneaks into the mix on the mid-palate followed by dry tea leaf and more red berries. The finish is a seamless continuation of the palate that lingers for a long time. Having had this many times since release, it is now hitting prime time as those secondary characteristics are being more prominent. My only slight concern for longer term is the tannins are still very much in the forefront compared to where the fruit is heading. None the less, this is still an amazingly good wine. 94 Points
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8/1/2018 - jeduardoms Likes this wine: 96 Points
One of the best portuguese wines I have tasted. Great now, and may be as good as it is for a few more years.
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4/3/2017 - cofidis2 Likes this wine: 92 Points
My last record of having this, or that I can recall, was almost 9 years ago. So time to check in and see how it's coming along. Decanted 6 hours by the time of this note, but consumed starting 4 hours into decanting. The color and fruit doesn't show any signs of fading almost 14 years later. This started out very tight and reserved and I wasn't too keen on it as it mostly showed too much oak, little fruit, and a clipped finish. A couple hours later that finally started to change as the blackberries came out and so did some minty/eucalyptus, mixed in with some unresolved oak, a large dose of tannins, and a much longer finish. But at this point it isn't as expressive or showing as complex as it has been in the past. I suspect this is in an awkward phase at the moment and needs more time in the cellar to emerge and show it's previous greatness. The potential is here, but at this point this just isn't as expressive and complex as it showed when younger so my score is probably a bit on the conservative side.
92 Points
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1/21/2013 - jusuf Likes this wine: 98 Points
Top wine. Megacomplex like a great Bordeaux. Flattering on the palate. Velvety. Firm. Great body.
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8/20/2012 - A&C wrote: 91 Points
I took this to the wake of an old friend who committed suicide. It was a pot-luck, BYOB, at her sister's house. Many people brought great wines to celebrate her life. This wine was in good company, and held its own.
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6/2/2012 - Rickets wrote: 93 Points
Damn good wine. Nose of plum and fig. Great mouthfeel on the palate. I did not find that the fruit had faded but was well balanced with notes of blackberry chocolate and leather. Well integrated tannins and great balance. Medium long finish. I will hold my remaining bottle for another 5 to 8 years.
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5/28/2012 - DollarMenunaire wrote: 92 Points
Have to admit I expected a little more so the rating is for this showing, of course. Cigar box-like spice really dominated the nose during decant and the drinking experience 2-3 hours later. The wine was quite tight and there was surprisingly little fruit. Could have been in a very muted stage as I didn't get much of the floral and secondary tones I would expect from even a lesser dry Duoro wine. The structure and mineral was still quite profound. Could be compared to a Cote Rotie of the same age. With three more bottles after my first experience I'll definitely be looking here to see which way this one goes.
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8/10/2011 - Dr.F wrote: 91 Points
Excellent- aging well. Decanted for 3 hours which was a bit too long. About 1-2 hours may be optiml at this age.
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9/19/2010 - Dr.F wrote: 94 Points
superb. decanted for over 3 hours before first taste. Initially strong fruits dominated (cherry, blackberry mainly) with some spiciness in bouquet and palate. Then a few hours later the tannins were more noticeable and also some nice chocolate overtones. Wanted to taste it the next day too- but it didn't last long enough.
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1/10/2010 - Blair Curtis wrote: 96 Points
Alrighty - the last year and a half have been very good to this wine. The last bottle, enjoyed with Roy in 2008 took until Day 2 to show us the goods. This time, the wine was pumping from the time it was opened and by the end of the evening it was truly fantastic. Had this with a grilled porterhouse, and it was one of the most satisfying food/wine evenings I've had in a while...not complicated, but just perfect. This wine has the "appeal" (intensity and forward fruit) of an old vines Shiraz, but it has more depth to it than most of those wines are able to summon. Gorgeous minerality. Great mouthfeel and texture. Extraordinary wine.
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11/8/2009 - A&C wrote: 93 Points
This was very, very nice. Open for business. Smooth. A nice richness to it. Enjoyable.
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3/13/2009 - whits wrote:
berries and port-like nose, full-bodied and intense, tree bark, honey and fig flavors, chewy, port characteristics but clearly not port, excellent and will hold up for years to come
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6/12/2008 - Blair Curtis wrote: 94 Points
Tasted with Roy Hersh a few months back. This was considerably better on day 2. On the first night, even several hours of decanting could not coax this beast out of its shell. The tassting on the second day was more encouraging. This thing is huge, fascinating and possibly ageless. I won't waste any more of these in the near term. A keeper.
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10/28/2005 - PortFanatic wrote: 95 Points
Test Tasting Event (Sammamish, WA): Tasted at Quinta do Crasto in the Douro - Haunting nose. Very dark+! Really, really fine. Huge mid-palate. Extremely fine tannins. Super long finish. True grip. World class wine! 95+? points.
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