2007 Vintage Port Cask Samples

Seattle, WA
Tasted Tuesday, June 9, 2009 by kris.h with 856 views

Introduction

This tasting was a three-way venture, organized by FTLOP, Kobrand, and McCarthy & Schiering to get consumers an early look at the 2007 Vintage Ports. Special guest, Robert Bower provided excellent commentary while we sampled these gems.

Flight 1 - 2007 Cask Samples (4 Notes)

2007 Taylor was a clear favorite for me. I really enjoyed the nose on the 2007 Fonseca but it fell short on the palate. 2007 Croft was a well rounded, complete package and out performed the Fonseca tonight. I'm not sure where the Vargellas Vinha Velha fits in. It could be spectacular. Robert Bauer explained that if compared to acresses, Taylor = Audry Hepburn, Fonseca = Marilyn Monroe, and now that the Fladgate Partnership has acquired Croft they are trying to figure out who to assign to Croft. Kate Blanchet is their favorite so far.

  • 2007 Croft Porto Vintage

    Portugal, Douro, Porto

    Very dark red. Nice aromatics, spicy red fruit. Firm fine grained tannin. Good acid and well balanced. A pleasing warm finish.

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  • 2007 Fonseca Porto Vintage

    Portugal, Douro, Porto

    Dark red / purple. Nice enticing nose with dark fruit, tar, blackberry, and cherry. Nice and sweet on the palate. Tannins start soft but come on stronger towards the end. A bit tart and a sour quality to the finish. I really liked the aromatics on this but on the palate this is showing a bit weak. This was a cask sample so a lot can happen between now and bottling.

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  • 2007 Taylor (Fladgate) Porto Vintage

    Portugal, Douro, Porto

    Dark reddish black. Complex aromas of dark and red fruits. Strawberry and plum. The palate is big, sweet, and massive. Full body, thick, and viscous. Very strong tannins. Should be fabulous in 30 to 40 years.

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  • 2007 Taylor (Fladgate) Porto Vinha Velha Vintage Quinta de Vargellas

    Portugal, Douro, Porto

    Dark, opaque, nearly black in color. Very tight nose. Absolutely massive tannins, mouth puckering. Dark, brooding, and intense. Shows huge potential.

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Flight 2 - 2000's (2 Notes)

After the cask samples, these seemed almost mature. The 2000 Croft showed beautifully and if drinking now is the best so far. The 2000 Taylor Vargellas Vinha Velha is a bit more approachable than the 2007 but at this point, my score is mostly on potential as it is difficult to drink at this stage.

Flight 3 - 2001's (2 Notes)

This was a difficult flight for me. The 2000 Taylor Vargellas Vinha Velha completely obliterated my palate. Both of these were nice ports, I had a slight preference to the Taylor.

Flight 4 - 2005's (2 Notes)

Another excellent showing from croft. 2005 Croft Quinta da Roeda is the complete package. Well rounded, big structure yet perfect balance.

Closing

From this small sampling of houses, 2007 looks to be a very good vintage. The Fonseca was somewhat disappointing but these are cask samples and it may come around by the time it is bottled. 2007 Taylor is clearly very good and I'll be placing an order for a few bottles.

My favorite of the tasting was 2000 Croft Vintage Port with the 2005 Croft Quinta da Roeda a close second. Both of these are drinking well now but show the potential to age for decades.

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