Iberian Wine Dinner

Milford, CT
Tasted Saturday, October 3, 2015 by mdefreitas with 499 views

Flight 1 - APPETIZERS (2 Notes)

Sardines, Chorizo, Serra da Estrella, Codfish balls

  • NV Cockburn Porto Fine White Port 88 Points

    Portugal, Douro, Porto

    Used for a white port tonic, but still quite nice by itself. A bit on the drier style, with lovely yellow fruits and citrus zest. Correct acidity.

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  • 2011 Raventós i Blanc De La Finca 90 Points

    Spain, Cava

    While this won't be a Champagne replacement for me, this seems a lot better than other similarly priced cavas out there. A finer, tighter bead and refined mouth-feel here, with yellow fruits and citrus on the palate. Above average length on the finish. I enjoyed this quite a bit.

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Flight 2 - FISH (3 Notes)

Cream of shrimp soup

  • 2004 R. López de Heredia Rioja Blanco Viña Gravonia 88 Points

    Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja

    Drank along side the 2005, this showed more vibrancy and cut, with less of the leesy, waxy, oxidative notes that the 2005 showed. A nice herbal vein runs through this which was refreshing. A polarizing style, given the oxidative but I enjoyed it.

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  • 2005 R. López de Heredia Rioja Blanco Viña Gravonia 80 Points

    Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja

    Drank along with the 2004, this suffered in comparison. A bit to much oxidation, old wood and cream. An interesting wine, but this didn't have the vibrancy and general overall balance that it's older sibling possessed. To its credit, it maintained for two days without changing much, but minimal enjoyment for me.

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  • 2004 Niepoort Projectos Riesling 85 Points

    Portugal, Trás-os-Montes, Vinho Regional Trás-os-Montes

    I give this credit for being over 10 years old and still being alive an interesting. Mature, yet not tired. Citrus, pears, peaches and other orchard fruits are noted, but other than "fruitiness" and a hint of petrol, there isn't much here. In particular, I was looking for character and minerality.

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Flight 3 - POULTRY (4 Notes)

Portuguese duck risotto

  • 1928 Antonio Bernardino Paulo da Silva Colares Collares Visconde de Salreu (V.S.) Flawed

    Portugal, Lisboa, Colares

    Hand carried back from Portugal, and it was a shame that it didn't show well. The color was still pretty deep in the center of the glass, with just some lightening on the edges, but a loose cork appears to be this wine's downfall. It tasted a bit tired, with slight oxidation and VA. Oh well...

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  • 1980 Caves São João Dão Porta dos Cavaleiros Reserva 86 Points

    Portugal, Beiras, Dão

    I was a little more generous with this wine than others, who found it a bit corked. I found it a bit "rustic", earthy and rough around the edges, but still quite drinkable. I need to get another bottle to better assess this, but I suppose bottle variation is to be expected.

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  • 2000 Quinta do Monte d'Oiro Vinho Regional Lisboa Reserva 88 Points

    Portugal, Lisboa, Vinho Regional Lisboa

    My last bottle of this and it continues to show well. Gamey and beefy with herbs, bacon and iron filing. A lot going on here. Medium bodied and savory, with well resolved structure. I'm not sure I would hold on to this any longer, as I remember the fruit to be a little stringer the last time I had this. Drink up.

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  • 1982 Bodegas Alejandro Fernández Ribera del Duero Janus Gran Reserva Pesquera 93 Points

    Spain, Castilla y León, Ribera del Duero

    A lovely surprise. The only other Janus I had was the 1994, and that one seemed very ripe and vanilla-laden. This was much smoother, elegant and poised. Not sure if it was the vintage or the extra time in the bottle that made this a more refined wine. The fruit is still robust, but the structure is silky, giving just the right amount of lift. A nice variety of flavors here, like olive tapenade, leather, plums and spice. Yummy and savory.

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Flight 4 - BEEF (3 Notes)

Short ribs braised in Rioja

Flight 5 - DESSERT (6 Notes)

Bolo de mel

  • 1964 Taylor (Fladgate) Very Old Single Harvest Port Limited Edition 89 Points

    Portugal, Douro, Porto

    Good, but not what I would expect for the price. Mostly dried fruits and butterscotch, with a fairly simple palate. Soft, smooth... almost too smooth for me... needs more "zing".

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  • 1880 Whitwham Porto Millennium 96 Points

    Portugal, Douro, Porto

    Another stellar half bottle. What impresses here is the piercing, lemony acids that keep the caramel and pecan pie flavors from becoming too sweet and cloying. Utterly seamless wine with such incredible lift and length. Wow!

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  • 1997 Quinta do Noval Porto Vintage 95 Points

    Portugal, Douro, Porto

    This was lost a bit with all the "cask aged" fortified wines, which were more open and giving. This seemed a bit tight but the quality of the fruit was obvious. On the second day this opened up nicely and revealed it self to be a powerful, dense, yet silky port with loads of plum, blackberry, pepper and licorice notes. Lovely finish that lingers with fine slightly grippy tannins. This powerhouse of a wine will be epic with time in the cellar.

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  • 1969 D'Oliveiras Madeira Sercial Reserva 91 Points

    Portugal, Madeira

    A Sercial for those who really love Sercial. A sharp, lean, high-toned, wine with nut skins, lemons and a touch of varnish. Medium length with a tangy finish of granny smith apples in toffee. I enjoyed this, but the enamel-stripping acidity may not be for everyone.

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  • 1920 Blandy's Madeira Bual 97 Points

    Portugal, Madeira

    Wine of the night. Such incredible power and persistence, coating the palate upon entry but possessing the appropriate acids to keep it from being syrupy. Electric wine muscle and intensity, but coupled with great poise. Caramel, nuts, figs and wood spice notes. Lots of "hang time" on the flavors. One of my favorite 20th century Madeiras.

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  • 1966 D'Oliveiras Madeira Verdelho 94 Points

    Portugal, Madeira

    Very much a d'Oliveira wine... big, muscular and concentrated. Loaded with honey, citrus, burnt sugar and dried yellow fruits. The finish is intense, pungent, lip-pursing and full of bite. On the drier side, but not lacking in richness. The finish on this wine just knocked me out. A bit of VA, but not off-putting... just a whiff to add complexity. More of a wine to have by itself rather than with food, as this really has a lot going on.

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