Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

Black a new blend produced from classic varieties that do not make it into the Quinta do Noval vintage. Deep Ruby red color with pronounced aromas of berry fruits, spice and floral notes. On the palate flavors of blackberry, spice, leather and smoke. Long finish, full bodied, smooth tannins, ending with fruit, cacao and tobacco notes. Nice. — 4 days ago

Doug Powers

9.5

[8-hour decant] Ripe, rich, very youthful still, with a noticeable tannic backbone, but also shows a sweet palate (think Graham’s/Fonseca, though the Symington family owns Graham’s, Dow’s, Warre’s and Cockburn’s, among others??), this should easily evolve/improve another 10-20 years, very long finish, outstanding vintage Porto, super long finish!! — 20 days ago

with Jim

Jerry Raphael

9.2

Very enjoyable, with a lot going on. Loaded with blackberry and dark fruits, along with violet, licorice, spice, and floral notes. A nice long finish to round it out. This was a 375 ml bottle and cost $16.99 back in the day—hard to argue with that value.
I still have some older Vintage Ports resting in the cellar and will get to them in due time—no rush. NYE dinner at Anthony’s in HH was a great way to cap it off. — 23 days ago

Jerry Raphael

9.5

Hosted a tasting for a wine group I’ve been part of for over 40 years. I came across this 56-year-old Port in my cellar and felt it was time to drink it—and with exactly the right people to share it.
I was pleasantly surprised by how good it was. Right after decanting, my first taste was mostly alcohol, but then it just kept opening and opening. Everything came into balance—nose, palate, and finish were all excellent and incredibly smooth.
Loaded with dark dried plums, figs, cherries, and brown sugar, along with spice and a touch of pepper. I served it with apple pie and blue cheese crumbles, which turned out to be a great match.
— 5 days ago

Donald Williams

9.4

Really held up great, even after being opened for months. — 12 days ago

with Bonnie

Tobin Spratte

9.4

Bananas foster, Christmas fruitcake, with balanced gun smoke aromas. Much fruitier and more concentrated than the Warres. Fantastic. — 23 days ago

Brian Lenich

9.1

Port at JoAnn’s — a month ago

Jeroen Koenen

9.5

Served this slightly chilled (12’C?).
Gorgeously fresh and pure dark fruit. Succulent, juicy, still primary….
Tannines and alcohol beautifully blended into the dense and viscous core. Only a slight hint of spice, chocolate and licorice now. Sweetness and freshness in excellent balance. It even feels more fresh than sweet at the moment. Certainly not too heavy nor intense.
This is so forward and yummy and sexy right now… I just don’t miss the complexity it might be lacking at this stage.
Sure, it has a few decades of life left and it could get more cerebral and complex…
But don’t bother. Drink it now! — 20 days ago

Doug Powers

9.4

[8 hour decant] This smells and (in particular) tastes like Dow’s, the drier style of classic Vintage Port, still shows lovely fruit and depth, just not as sweet as Fonseca or Graham’s, nor as structured as Taylor’s, longish finish, very, very sneaky fine!! — 22 days ago

with Jim

AHF

9.5

Moderately sweet, viscous and spirity. Balanced and firm, not cloying or sharp. Long finish. — a month ago