December 30, 2020 - Lots of chunky sediment to decant off. Almost completely opaque black cherry cola colour. Quite fresh on the nose with black and red fruits, pine tar, cola and cedar. Thick and rich, sweet and spirited, tannic and tart, full bodied and long. This has a lot going on for it! Nicely integrated, yet still very young tasting. None of those mature nutty, raising or rancio notes. This is still all dark, ripe and rich fruitiness. Black cherry, tar, licorice, spice and mascerated plums. Excellent balance! Quite mouth coating and lingering on the finish. This still has a long life ahead of it!
November 11, 2017 - Lots of sediment here. Keeping the bottle upright for a day or two beforehand and careful decanting heartily recommended.
Quite deep and intense black cherry color, almost completely translucent. Surprisingly green-toned nose with subtle aromas of dark yet somewhat sappy berries, pine forest and pine needles and hints of tomato leaves, followed by more traditional, sweet aromas of very ripe dark berries, some crunchy forest fruits, light blackcurrant jam character, floral hints of wild rosemary and a touch of plum compote. The wine feels full-bodied still surprisingly dense and tightly-knit and somewhat hot on the palate, yet not particularly extracted - the high alcohol actually seems to "thin" and lighten the mouthfeel of the wine. There are intense flavors of blackberry jam, sour cherry marmalade, some overripe blackcurrant, a little bit of spicy bitterness and a hint of graphite. The acidity is well in balance with the body and the tannins seem to be getting pretty much resolved and smooth at this point. The finish is quite firm and noticeably drier than the midpalate with long and rather savory flavors of peppery spice, graphite, some crunchy dark berries, a little bit of astringent chokeberries and a touch of ripe plums.
A smooth, elegant and enjoyable off-vintage Single-Quinta Vintage Port that has started to resolve nicely with age. When I tasted this wine more or less exactly 7 years back, it was much more imposing with very firm tannins and pronounced spicy character. Now the tannins start to be getting quite soft and smooth, but curiously the fruit has also receded a bit to reveal some more sappy, slightly green-toned aromas, which give the nose a slightly odd, piney edge. Still, a very nice effort and although the wine seems to be peaking soon, there is no hurry to open these bottles yet. Drinking beautifully now and will keep good for the next 8-10 years. Terrific value at 31,89€.
December 17, 2016 - Decanted 24 hours prior the tasting. Nothing boombastic yet a very drinkable wine. Well integrated tannins, sugars and alcohol. Nice spicey aromas, dried fruits and very ripe black berries. Will benefit from further cellaring, so no rush to consume.
November 23, 2015 - Drank at Pied a Terre
Rich complex nose and palate. Slight alcohol noticeable.
July 17, 2015 - A private lunch (Restaurant Kitty Fisher's, Mayfair, London, UK): Charming, sweet, soft, plums and spices, nice alcoholic kick, resolved tannins, good flavours and length.
June 13, 2015 - Deliciously smooth and fruity right out the bottle. Definitely ready to drink.
July 28, 2012 - A private dinner (Restaurant Alimentum, Cambridge, UK): Lovely figgy and rich, a bit hot, spicy, lightish but good intensity and length.
December 26, 2011 - Very dark and deep ruby color. Plum compote and dark berries on the restrained nose. Very concentrated -partly dried- dark fruits fill the mouth until strong tannins attack the palate. Then comes an alcoholic sensation which is followed by pleasant, smooth aftertaste of blackcurrants, spices and a hint of figs. Way too young still, this is tannic to a point where this doesn't really taste very sweet at all.