gelliott
Member #67,881 signed up 12/15/2008
This Member Is a Fan(11)
1 to 3 of 11
-
Blair Curtis
1,231 Tasting Notes
-
msimoes
126 Tasting Notes
-
sithinfiltrator
3,033 Tasting Notes
Fans(10)
1 to 3 of 10
-
charleshetzel
287 Tasting Notes
-
jlgnml
4,331 Tasting Notes
-
roodawg
9 Tasting Notes
Friends(10)
1 to 3 of 10
-
Blair Curtis
1,231 Tasting Notes
-
foomench
1 Tasting Note
-
djewesbury
17 Tasting Notes
Profile
Member since December 2008
This member's profile is not public.
1985 Graham Porto Vintage
4/12/2014 - gelliott Likes this wine: 95 Points
I didn't take formal notes (wedding reception and all, and I was the Best Man), but I was only able to give this magnum about 3 hours of decant before the reception started so it might have had 4 total by the time we started drinking. It was a bit spirity to start, but that integrated quickly and by the time the toasts rolled around it was singing. Champagne for most in attendance, Port for me and a handful of others.
Lots of purple and black berries on the nose. Stone fruits were in abundance on the palate. The berries and sweetness in the mouth were nicely balanced by very smooth but still formidable tannins. The acidity was good and very nicely integrated - it wasn't really noticeable except for making the Port seem very juicy. The finish was very long and seemed to grow longer as we progressed through the bottle.
In magnum this Port probably has another 10 years of improvement to go, and will then hold on its plateau for 10-20 more years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comments (1)
2003 Niepoort Porto Broadbent Vintage
10/22/2013 - gelliott Likes this wine: 90 Points
Color: Medium red with dark purple overtones. Not opaque, but also not watery in appearance.
Nose: Red twizzlers, some very light smoke, and possibly some dark plum jam.
Palate: Only medium body in the mouth, but a good feel. Moderate chalky tannins, good acidity. Some black cherry. Seems slightly tart on entry, but is actually pretty sweet. Reminds me of an aged LBV - it just doesn't have the stuffing that I expect from a top-tier 2003 Vintage Port. Very easy to drink.
Finish: More black cherry here along with some pleasant heat. Good length. Tannins are moderate. Slight bitter edge that never fully resolves.
A pleasant easy drinker, but not one for the long haul. Seems likely to be mature in another 10 years at age 20. I started out at 89 points, but after 24 hours in the bottle on the kitchen counter it has gained body weight and complexity. Certainly enough to warrant another point to 90.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1983 Graham Porto Vintage
10/19/2013 - gelliott wrote: 94 Points
Color: Dark purple/red. Not opaque, but impressively close for a 30-yr old Port.
Nose: Lush, rich fruit. Some that hits at blueberries, some that hints at something richer. There's some alcohol, but it's fragrant and not at all overpowering.
Palate: Rich black cherry, on the tarter side for black cherry. Moderate tannins that are still on the slightly rougher side. Quite sweet but that's countered by a tanginess to the fruit. Paired very well with my New York Strip steak, which had a salt and black pepper rub along with a mushroom cream sauce.
Finish: Good length, with lots of leftover berries and pleasant warmth.
Score: 94 points. I usually like the G85 better than the G83, but that's typically because the G85 is more approachable. We may be getting to the point where that's no longer the case as the G83 matures, and I'm beginning to think that the G83 might be a better Port for the long haul.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment