PHMG WAG: Port(ugal) Tasting

Our intent was to be decadent! Also contrast: the newer VP's with older versions, the Madeira with a tawny of about the same age, and a couple dry wines with their sweeter brethren. All wines were double decanted for 6 hours.

Remember this for later to compare to the tawny...

• 1997 Cossart Gordon & Co. Madeira Bual Colheita 90 Points

  Portugal, Madeira

  This has the requisite oxidized brown color and a vivid nose of butterscotch, caramel, walnuts, dried orange peel, and a touch of earth. Nice balance of sweet and sour on the palate. Good length and even a bit better the next day.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

Meat please!

• 2010 Quinta do Crasto Douro Reserva Old Vines 92 Points

  Portugal, Douro

  This was a bit tight but fun to have in a tasting of mostly sweet wines. Rustic black cherry, currant, mocha, with some earth/stone notes. Tannins reasonably hidden by fruit and some oak. No fall off on day 2.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

• 2009 Quinta do Vallado Touriga Nacional Douro 92 Points

  Portugal, Douro

  A little darker than the previous 2010 Q Do Crasto Old Vine Reserva, similarly tight initially despite the decant. It leans towards black and blue fruit with spice and earth running side by side. Nice depth and length. More tannic than the QdC and needs time. Wait a year.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

Served with the Blues and various chocolate things.

• 2011 Smith Woodhouse Porto Vintage 93 Points

  Portugal, Douro, Porto

  Here we go! Sweet black fruit with hints of tar and earth, all supported by the usual cast of characters: etoh, tannins galore, and acidity. Approachable as a baby, but a great candidate for making it to college (age) or even a pH(D).

  Post a Comment / 3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No

• 2011 Taylor (Fladgate) Porto Vintage 95 Points

  Portugal, Douro, Porto

  Gnarly! Blackberry, blueberry, cassis, plum, mocha, and earth aren't just dancing on your palate... it's like a mosh pit! The tannins will take a swing at you, so duck (wait!). Great for days ungassed.

  Post a Comment / 6 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No

• 2011 Quinta do Crasto Porto Vintage 92 Points

  Portugal, Douro, Porto

  More obvious etoh than the Smith-Woodhouse before it, so slightly disjointed. BUT this is more what one would expect from such a young Port. The black fruit is deep with tar, spice, mocha, and wet stone. Modest sweetness and moderate tannins. Wait!

  Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No

• 2000 Cockburn Porto Vintage 93 Points

  Portugal, Douro, Porto

  My wife wouldn't let me donate this to a school auction a few years ago ("the name will be a distraction"), so here it is. Bottle number 4 for us and notes from '08, '10, and '12 show the obvious evolution. From primary to complex, elemental to integrated, and coarse to smooth. Black cherry, berry, anise, plum, and tar stand out. Loads of time, but my sense is that it will be "different", not better. Depends how you like 'em.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

• 1997 Graham Porto Vintage 90 Points

  Portugal, Douro, Porto

  This is an excellent wine, but paled a little in this tasting. Ripe black fruit, licorice, cocoa, and tar are reasonably deep and well integrated with the sugar. Etoh and tannins are non-obtrusive. Next in 2017.

  Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No

• 1994 Dow Porto Vintage 95 Points

  Portugal, Douro, Porto

  Oh yeah! here's the college kid who's maturing nicely. The open nose is wonderful. The fruit is still a bit jammy, yet it's so smooth and complex, it pulls you back to the glass. Great with the Stilton and the Rogue Creamery Crater Lake Blue, and the next day.... My WOTN, 95+.

  Post a Comment / 3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No

Served with more sweets...

• NV Graham Porto 20 Year Old Tawny 91 Points

  Portugal, Douro, Porto

  "Dessert" at a Port(ugal) tasting... Obviously sweeter than the VP's, it was a nice bookend with the Madeira up front of the evening and some similar notes on the nose: caramel, nuts, mocha, and some dried fruit. Of course it's sweeter than a Bual also. Great with all kinds of sweet things. Ta-da!

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

No real surprises! The wines were great, and the crowd got loud given the extra ethanol! Afterward, a few of us, the brainless, went out into the rain with a glass of our favorite and had a cigar....ahhh!