by Ray Johnson | Dec 7, 2009 | Duoro, Fortified dessert, Port, Portugal, Tawny Port
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 acidity taking the flavors for a lengthy...
by Ray Johnson | Dec 7, 2009 | Douro, Fortified dessert, Port, Portugal
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 silky character, very much so...
by Ray Johnson | Dec 7, 2009 | Fortified dessert, France, Grenache, Roussillon
Mas Amiel, Maury, Vintage 2006 In the nose you’ll find prunes and a sense of the fortifying spirit. The mouth shows a sweet and slick sense of cooked black fruits with caramel and a hint of acidity in the background. This wine is a great destination for some...
by Ray Johnson | Dec 7, 2009 | Aperitif, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Charente, France
Gaston Rivière, Pineau des Charentes, Pineau François 1er, Red Pineau nv The smell of red grape juice really comes through, with a green, herbaceous essence and a whiff of chocolate. In the mouth it is sweet, thick and spiritous, like a red candy, coated in chocolate...
by Ray Johnson | Dec 7, 2009 | Aperitif, France
Lillet, Red nv This aperitif reminds me of dunking a slice of orange into a slightly sweet red wine, with a little shot of added for punch. Serve it over a few ice cubes. P&B in Podensac in the Gironde, about 20 miles south of Bordeaux 17% $15.99 Lillet
