June 3, 2023 - Final bottle from a case of twelve halves purchased in 2008 from the estate of a well-known Dutch collector and port connoisseur who had passed away in 2007. Pristine bottle. Brief decant. Mature and gentle, cedary and delicately nutty, floral notes, clean and transparent but with only a little (crushed red berry) fruit left, medium body, lovely freshness, spicy schist minerality, pure and elegant, well integrated spirit, still energetic but completely ready. Lovely
January 29, 2023 - Eleventh bottle from a case of twelve halves purchased in 2008 from the estate of a well-known Dutch collector and port connoisseur who had passed away in 2007. Pristine bottle, but the cork disintegrated. Brief decant. In better shape than the bottle tasted in August 2022 - calm and harmonious with nice lift, without any stalky or volatile notes. Good flavour complexity and definition - red berries and cherries, warm spices, cedar and vanilla, milk chocolate and a hint of flowers. Elegant and silky palate, rich and warming but transparent, fresh and lively, delicately sweet, firm but gentle tannins. The finish is long and complete but a bit hot. Ready.
August 7, 2022 - Tenth bottle from a case of twelve halves purchased in 2008 from the estate of a well-known Dutch collector and port connoisseur who had passed away in 2007. Pristine bottle, but the cork disintegrated. Brief decant. Mature appearance, with a pale red core; initially the nose is quite stalky with a whiff of volatile acidity, but it is fresh and it opens up nicely with some aeration to cedary and nutty aromas, red berries and spices; the palate is fresh and vibrant, youthful for age, light to medium bodied, transparent and gently sweet, with light flavours of black cherries, milk chocolate and some warmth from the wood; light finish with good length and hints of peach and even limoncello at the end. A minor vintage port but energetic and attractive. Do not keep too long.
September 26, 2021 - Brownish and got the cork out without too much damage. Taste has strong caramel notes and still has a good bite of acid on the front. Finish lingers with butterscotch and smoke.
October 25, 2020 - Ninth bottle from a case of twelve halves. There has been some bottle variation in the past, but recent bottles have been consistently fine. This one however is slightly uneasy. Mature but lively appearance; cedar and currants on the nose, Christmas spice, powerful but transparent, smoky minerality, lifted; quite sweet on the palate, juicy and fresh, ripe but firm tannins, red berries, chocolate and warm spices, a bit “nerveux”; slightly hot finish, very good resonance and length. Ready but with time in hand.
June 7, 2020 - Light red with orange hues on the egdes. Pretty far developed for a 30 year old Port. Velvety tannins, hints of raisins, dried fruits, nuts. Tastes somewhat like a 10 year old Tawny. Balanced, fresh and pleasant finish.
Probably doesn't have too long to live anymore though. I'd drink pretty soon.
August 11, 2019 - Eighth half bottle from a case of twelve. Another fine showing. Cedar and fresh nuts, warm spices and white chocolate, Hedelfinger cherries, medium body, fully resolved tannins, silky and harmonious but a bit hot on the finish. Drink up.
May 11, 2019 - Seventh half bottle from a case. Cork disintegrated completely. Mature but lively appearance; lovely nose, crushed red berries, cedar, flowers, fresh nuts, transparent, warm spices, good depth; gentle palate, white chocolate and amarena cherries, orange, light to medium body, fresh and with light and completely smooth tannins; the finish displays more than a touch of spirit, length is good. Fully mature, no hurry.
December 8, 2018 - Similar qualities to last bottle in December 2009 but more evolved. Drinking very well now. 90+ points.
August 31, 2018 - Another good half bottle. Gentle and mature, nothing stalky or raw this time, black cherries, milk chocolate and pain d'épices, hint of nuttiness, medium body, lovely freshness, good tannic grip, slightly hot finish. Solid VP, time in hand. Six halves left.