Heitz Cellar, Napa Valley, Grignolino Port 2004 It’s like cranberries marinated in brandy when you lift the glass. In the mouth it is light-bodied for a Port-style wine with a little acidic zing, sweetness and an alcoholic kick. This has been a consistent good value in California’s take on Port. P&B in St. Helena, 18.5% [...]

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Stone Hill, Missouri, Port 2004 The prunes and sweet Linzer torte stand out in the nose. In the mouth there is the alcohol and tannic edge of vintage Port from the Duoro as well as chocolate and vanilla. This was a big hit with chocolate covered raisins. The grape that makes this wine is Norton. [...]

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Paradise Ridge Winery, Russian River Valley, Ode to Joy, Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc 2007
Lots of complexity in this wine, with honey galore - very reminiscent of Sauternes. This dessert wine was crafted to honor the memory of Marijke Byck-Hoenselaars. 44 degrees brix at harvest. Winemaker Dan Barwick. P&B in Santa Rosa. 13.2% $28.99 for a [...]

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Mountain Grove Cellars, Ozark Mountain, Ruby Port nv There are prunes and a touch of alcohol in the nose. The mouth follows through with the same with a baked fruit and walnut tart character - moderately sweet making it a hit with bittersweet chocolate. P&B in Mountain Grove, MO 19% $10 at Missouri State University [...]

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Robert Hall, Paso Robles, Vintage Port 2005 A sumptuous berry dessert with integrated alcohol. The grapes are traditional, as in Portugal, 36% Touriga, 30% Alvarelhao, 20% Souzao and 14% Tinta Cao. Aged in barrel for 24 months. Winemaker Don Brady. P&B in Paso Robles 20.5% $34 at the winery Robert Hall

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Renwood Sierra Foothills Vintage Port 2003
Sweet and slathered in oak essence - a class favorite. 5 traditional Portuguese grapes made this wine, Tinta Cao, Alvararhao, Souzao, Bastardo and Touriga. Aged in neutral American oak for 2 years, 7.9% RS. P&B in Plymouth 19% $14.95 at the winery for a 375ml Renwood

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Macchia Amador County Linsteadt Vineyard Dangerous Port 2004
In the house style of ripeness and richness with integrated alcohol. The grapes are a combo of Barbera and Zinfandel. P&B in Lockeford 20.1% $25 at the winery Macchia

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Ballentine Vineyards Napa Valley Estate Grown Zinfandel Port 2004
There’s a sense of a brand new, just crushed wine in the cellar, with vivacious, grapy fruit. There’s definitely some heat as we would see from Portugal, yet this New World Port wears its fresh fruit on its sleeve, with a hint of chocolate, lest we become [...]

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Taylor Fladgate, Porto, Late Bottled Vintage 2001
Dried fruits such as prunes are a common theme with noticeable alcohol – true to type and sometimes the wine seems to have the alcohol integrated even better than usual, though most are not bothered by a little kick in their after-dinner beverage. Bottled in 2007 in Oporto, by [...]

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Penfolds South Australia Club Tawny Port nv
The last bottle tasted was maple syrup personified with completely integrated alcohol. Made from Shiraz, Grenache and Mourvedre and matured in small oak in Kalimna 18% $10.99 at Traverso’s Penfolds
Grant Burge Barossa 10 year old Port nv
The grapes that made this port-style of wine are Grenache, Mourvedre and [...]

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Rosenblum Cellars San Francisco Bay Castanho Vineyard Zinfandel Port 2003

Viscous and full of vanilla.  Noticeable but appropriate sense of alcohol for a port style of wine. This vineyard hails from Contra Costa County and was aged in US and Fr oak for 18 mos. 12% RS P&B Alameda 18% $14.59 (375ml) at Bottle Barn Rosenblum [...]

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Holdredge Russian River Valley Saralee’s Vineyard Late Harvest Gewurztraminer 2006
36.4 Brix at harvest and 10.2% RS, P&B Healdsburg 13.65% $26.99 at Bottle Barn (375ml) Holdgredge
Davis Family Russian River Valley Rapport Fortified Old Vine Zinfandel Dessert Wine 2005
V&B Healdsburg 16.8% $26.99 (375ml) at Bottle Barn Davis Family

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Taylor Fladgate Porto Late Bottle Vintage 2000
Porty and pruny – w noticeable alcohol – true to type and sometimes the wine seems to have the alcohol integrated even better than usual. Bottled in 2006 in Oporto, by Taylor across in Vila Nova De Gaia. 20% $17.99 at Bottle Barn Taylor
Fonseca Porto 10 Year Old [...]

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Jocelyn Lonen Napa Valley Zinfandel Port 2004
This wine combines sweet fruit, an essence of chocolate and spirit.  One of the class affectionately described it as like a chocolate candy filled with liqueur,  ‘alcohol in an envelope of something sweet’. 100% Zin, sold out at the winery. P&B Napa 18.2% $21.99 (375) at Traverso’s Jocelyn Lonen

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Meyer Family California Port nv
This wine was described by one of the students as tasting like a ‘rum raisin chocolate bar’.  I can’t improve on that.  This wine has complexity, some palpable alcohol as in these wines from the Douro and the silky texture of a fine tawny, with a more youthful appearance.
I recently shared [...]

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