Category Archives: Port

Penfolds Club Reserve Aged Tawny

Posted on June 19, 2010 by Ray

Penfolds, South Australia, Club Reserve, Aged Tawny nv In the nose you’ll find raisins and butterscotch with a sense of the spirit in the background. This all carries on in the mouth with nuttiness, sweetness and well-integrated alcohol. Like the value-oriented … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Fortified dessert, Grenache, Mourvedre, Port, South Australia, Syrah, Tawny Port | Tagged | Leave a comment

Dow’s Porto

Posted on May 17, 2010 by Ray

Dow’s, Porto, Quinta do Bomfim, Vintage 1996 The nose features brandied cherries, with a bit of prunes as well. In the mouth, the tannins have resolved yielding a silky yet warm dessert, with the beginning of some nuttiness. This is … Continue reading →

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Dow’s Porto LBV 2004

Posted on April 23, 2010 by Ray

Dow’s, Porto, Late Bottled Vintage 2004 Blackberries and prunes mark the nose with an appropriate sense of the fortifying spirit. In the mouth, chocolate combines with nuts and figs and brandy’s strength. Bottled in 2009 by Symington Family Estates in … Continue reading →

Posted in Duoro, Fortified dessert, Port, Portugal | Tagged | 2 Comments

Fonseca 20 Year Old Tawny

Posted on December 7, 2009 by Ray

Fonseca, Porto, 20 Year Old, Tawny nv The nose features brown sugar and cinnamon infused into oranges cooked over an open flame. In the mouth it is caramel personified, with a healthy dose of brandy and an underlying sense of … Continue reading →

Posted in Duoro, Fortified dessert, Port, Portugal, Tawny Port | Tagged | Leave a comment

Dow’s Vintage Porto 2007

Posted on December 7, 2009 by Ray

Dow’s, Porto, Vintage 2007 This baby of a Port smells of sweet black fruits, oranges, candied berries, a notion of flowers and the spirit that fortified it. In the mouth it is dense yet already smoothing out, approachable with a … Continue reading →

Posted in Douro, Fortified dessert, Port, Portugal | Tagged | Leave a comment

Prager Noble Companion Tawny Port

Posted on November 20, 2009 by Ray

Prager, Napa Valley, Noble Companion, Tawny Port You’ll find golden raisins, dates, nuttiness and a sense of the spirit in the nose – but more than that. The fruit character is citrussy, like oranges stuck with cloves and drizzled with … Continue reading →

Posted in Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Fortified dessert, Napa Valley, Port | Leave a comment

Belo Tawny 1996

Posted on October 23, 2009 by Ray

Belo, Napa Valley, Vintage Tawny Port, Tinta Isabella 1996 The nose is pruny and spirtitous with some volatility. The mouth shows lots of caramel and nuttiness, like crunching up some almonds, wrapping them in milk chocolate and basting them with … Continue reading →

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Prager Port

Posted on October 18, 2009 by Ray

This summer we met with proprietor Peter Prager at the family winery in St. Helena. If you haven’t been there you must stop by for a visit if you’re a fan of the wines of the Douro. The Pragers have … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Chardonnay, Fortified dessert, Port, White Dessert | Leave a comment

Niepoort Tawny 10

Posted on October 7, 2009 by Ray

Niepoort, Porto, 10 Years Old, Tawny, nv Caramel and spirit entwined, with nuts and a nice thread of acidity. The RS is 106.3 grams per litre. Produced and bottled in Porto 20% $19.99 at Bottle Barn for a 375ml and … Continue reading →

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Dow’s Vintage 2003

Posted on October 7, 2009 by Ray

Dow’s, Porto, Vintage 2003 Black fruits and brandy mark the nose, in the way that you would expect. In the mouth there is the trademark flavor that always reminds me of linzer torte. This is still a baby but a … Continue reading →

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Woodbridge Portacino 1997

Posted on October 6, 2009 by Ray

Woodbridge Winery, Lodi, Estate Grown, Portacinco 1997 This wine is moving along into its older years with raisins in the nose and an elevated sense of  volatility. In th mouth their is still a younger, middle-aged charm, with lots of … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Fortified dessert, Lodi, Port | Leave a comment

St. Amant Vintage Port 2006

Posted on October 6, 2009 by Ray

St. Amant Winery, Amador County, Vintage Port 2006 This is well-done California vintage style of port with plenty of black fruit, thickness of texture and a spiritous undertone. The wine is dedicated to founder Tim Spencer who died in 2006. … Continue reading →

Posted in Amador County, California, Fortified dessert, Port, Sierra Foothills | Leave a comment

Graham’s Six Grapes

Posted on August 29, 2009 by Ray

Graham’s, Porto, “Six Grapes”, Reserve nv The nose combines blackberry liqueur, raisins and a spiritous note. In the mouth you taste something akin to blackberry candy poured over a Tootsie Roll – chocolate and black fruit with a healthy shot … Continue reading →

Posted in Fortified dessert, Port, Portugal, Touriga Nacional | Leave a comment

Wiederkehr Tawny Port

Posted on August 29, 2009 by Ray

Wiederkehr, Arkansas Moutain, Tawny Port nv The nose sports lots of vanilla with nuts and a very overt sense of oaky richness. In the mouth the nuttiness continues with caramel sweetness. The alcohol is perfectly integrated so watch that it … Continue reading →

Posted in Arkansas, Concord, Fortified dessert, Port, Tawny Port | Leave a comment

Quady Starboard Batch 88

Posted on August 4, 2009 by Ray

Quady Winery, California, Starboard Batch 88 The nose features caramel, nuts and spirits, like a nutty liqueur. In the mouth the nutty theme continues, with appropriate warmth for a Port-style wine and a sense of brown-sugar dusted raisins. The grape … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Fortified dessert, Madera, Port, Tempranillo | Leave a comment

Prager Tomas Port 2004

Posted on July 30, 2009 by Ray

Prager, Napa Valley, Imogene’s Vineyard, Tomas, Port 2004 This wine is full of dried fruits, prunes and dark chocolate, with sweetness and warmth. The grapes were sourced from the family’s property in Calistoga. GP&B in St. Helena 19.5% $45.99 at … Continue reading →

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Trentadue Port

Posted on April 24, 2009 by Ray

Trentadue, Alexander Valley, Estate, Zinfandel, Port 2003 Raisins mix with the fortifying spirit in the nose, a sense of candy with a bit of brandy thrown in. The mouth features ripe cherries, prunes, brown sugar and the alcohol boost. Grown, … Continue reading →

Posted in Alexander Valley, California, Port, Sonoma County | Leave a comment

Dow’s 10 Year Tawny

Posted on April 21, 2009 by Ray

Dow’s, Porto, 10 Year, Tawny nv The nose features caramel, toasted notes and quite a spiritous character. In the mouth the wine is lusciously sweet, the alcohol is integrated and the nuts and caramel carry a long time. Bottled by … Continue reading →

Posted in Port, Portugal, Tawny Port | Leave a comment

Taylor Fladgate LBV 2003

Posted on April 21, 2009 by Ray

Taylor Fladgate, Porto, Late Bottled Vintage 2003 The new release is available to us and it shows the characteristic pruny and stewed fruits in the nose. In the mouth there is a sense of the alcohol as well as chocolate … Continue reading →

Posted in Port, Portugal | Leave a comment

Dow’s Boardroom Tawny

Posted on March 13, 2009 by Ray

Dow’s, Porto, Boardroom, Reserve Tawny nv In the nose there is caramel and overt alcohol. In the mouth the same follows through though the often tolerated burn is a bit too much given the rather light concentration of flavor. Bottle … Continue reading →

Posted in Fortified dessert, Port, Portugal, Tawny Port | Leave a comment

Heitz Ink Grade Port

Posted on January 15, 2009 by Ray

Heitz Cellar, Napa Valley, Ink Grade Vineyard, Port nv Prunes mixed with chocolate and a sense of the fortifying spirit. The grapes behind this wine are the traditional Portuguese suspects of Touriga National, Sauzao, Tinta Cao, Tinta Amarells, Tinta Madeira … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Napa Valley, Port | 1 Comment

Raymond Burr Port 2003

Posted on January 13, 2009 by Ray

Raymond Burr Vineyards, Dry Creek Valley, Estate Port 2003 The smell is a mix of dark chocolate, raisins, molasses and earthiness. In the mouth, the sweetness comes through with a chocolately essence and an appropriate sense of the fortifying alcohol. … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Dry Creek Valley, Port, Sonoma County | Leave a comment

Quady’s Starboard 1996

Posted on December 12, 2008 by Ray

Quady Winery, Amador County, Starboard 1996 The raisins are in full force, chocolate and lots of sweet smells melded with a hint of the fortifying spirit. The mouth sports chocolate and caramel with a strong but appropriate sense of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Amador County, California, Port | Leave a comment

Heitz Grignolino Port 2004

Posted on October 31, 2008 by Ray

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 … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Grignolino, Napa Valley, Port | Leave a comment

Port o’ Missouri

Posted on October 24, 2008 by Ray

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 … Continue reading →

Posted in Missouri, Norton, Port | 2 Comments

Dessert stars

Posted on October 18, 2008 by Ray

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. … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Dry Creek Valley, Late Harvest White, Late harvest red, Port, Russian River Valley, Sauvignon Blanc, Zinfandel | 1 Comment

Mountain Port

Posted on September 23, 2008 by Ray

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 … Continue reading →

Posted in Missouri, Port | 2 Comments

Paso Port

Posted on July 14, 2008 by Ray

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. … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Paso Robles, Port, San Luis Obispo County, Touriga Nacional | Leave a comment

Mountain Port 2

Posted on July 8, 2008 by Ray

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. … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Port, Sierra Foothills | Leave a comment

Mountain Port

Posted on July 7, 2008 by Ray

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

Posted in Amador County, California, Port, Sierra Foothills | Leave a comment