February 2, 2023 - PNP. It has the prupley-brown-reddish rim as you'd expect from a 26 year old port. The beauty here is the supple wholesomeness of the wine, like a 80's family sitcom (minus the cosby effect). It's lush and balanced, with fig and soft, restrained black fruit. Hints of earth. It throws off some sediment but is a joy from sniff to gulp. I don't think this is improving, but it's in a really pretty spot at the moment. Enjoy.
November 12, 2022 - This is the best port I've had in a long time. Decanted about 2 hours before serving. What stands out is the lack of heat. Plum, spices, fig newtons. Not overly acidic but not flabby either. Great auction purchase.
December 25, 2021 - Cork is in perfect shape. Initial pour was almost transparent in color and heavy on the spirit. A lot of sediment and crust was present. Decanted for 7 hours before consuming and it needed a good long decant as the color transformed completely.
A dark purple-tawney in color. Extremely fresh and lively nose – fresh bright cherries, red currants, raisins, caramel, espresso, fresh black pepper, and freshly cut cedar. Medium bodied, intense but not too deep, and fresh palate. Raisins, caramel, fresh cherries, black pepper, cigar box, and a bit of mint. Tannins are mostly resolved – a bit of a round profile is still present. Medium black pepper, cedar, preserved cherry finish. Just a hint of heat from the alcohol – but way less than I expected from other’s CT notes.
This might not be in the same level as the big port houses – but it’s very enjoyable and a great QPR if you can get it in the 20-25/btl range. I would not hesitate to open another one of these up for any reason. I don’t think there is much more development left – I’d drink these over the 2020s.
December 24, 2020 - Rating transferred from Vivino in Jan 2021 and translated to 100 point scale.
December 6, 2019 - Still quite young, starting to develop some caramel. Honestly not that compelling though.
December 24, 2018 - Dried cork but still in decent condition. Smooth, rich, a nice core of plummy, sweet fig fruit with anise, vanilla, creme brulee and cocoa. My sister (whose birth year is 97) really enjoyed it, so that was the goal.
July 22, 2017 - FTLOP 12th Anniversary; 7/21/2017-7/23/2017 (Seattle, Washington): Intense violet and dark fruit on the nose. Noticeable tannins on the mid-palate, resolving into hints of strawberry and red fruit on the finish.
February 10, 2015 - Decanted for 4 hours then drank over three nights. Left in fridge to slow oxidation. Lots of cherry and raisin on the nose. Palate much of the same with some liquor and a bit of spice added in. Just a little bit of heat.
February 9, 2013 - Hot. Figs, raisins, lots of fruit. Excellent, but not fantastic. At this price, I'd pass on it next time -- but that doesn't mean I didn't like it.
December 27, 2012 - Perfect provenance.
No notes taken.
Plenty of sediment.
Ah yum yum yum. Lovely smooth port that drinks like the home country but with almost a modern aspect to it. The black walnut has left the building gladly, and this foot-trodden gal is drinking wonderfully.
An excellent port and year for California style port lovers to try.
Figs, creme brule, vanilla, tobacco, leather, earth, boysenberry, blueberry, raspberry, cherry, lt. tea and spices.
The only port I have more than 1 of.
91 pts.
Great now. Can likely cellar a few more yrs (but why wait when she's showing so well now).