Category Archives: Fortified dessert

Sonoma State Sensory Evaluation Workshop

Staying ahead of flaws in the cellar and quantifying perceptual differences and consumer preferences are critical to a winery’s bottom line.  Following our return from New Zealand, Sonoma State’s Wine Business Institute will partner with VESTA to again offer this … Continue reading

Posted in Albariño, Alsace, Alto Adige, Andalucia, Barbera, Barbera d'Asti, Barolo, Bordeaux, California, Chardonnay, Cinsault, Dealcoholized, Fortified dessert, France, Gewurztraminer, Graves, Italy, Jerez, Madeira, Malmsey, Malvasia, Marlborough, Merlot, Napa County, Napa Valley, Nebbiolo, New Zealand, Palomino, Pessac-Leognan, Piemonte, Pinot Noir, Port, Portugal, Provence, Rosé, Russian River Valley, Sancerre, Sauternes, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Sherry, Sonoma County, South Africa, Spain, Tawny Port, Var, Vinho Verde, Western Cape | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Fonseca Bin 27

Fonseca Porto Bin No. 27 This is the brand’s vintage character offering, blending a sense of dark fruits, the sweetness of raisins, chocolate and a spiritous character. Manoel Pedro Guimaraens founded the winery in 1822. It is now run by … Continue reading

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

Quady Elysium 2006

Quady, California, Elysium, Black Muscat 2006 The nose features a grapy/berry expression, a bit liquer-like. In the mouth it is light-bodied and sweet, reminiscent of fresh raspberries and grape jelly – nice. Winemaker Michael Blaylock. P&B in Madera, L0702, 15% … Continue reading

Posted in California, Fortified dessert, Muscat | Tagged | 1 Comment

Jaboulet Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise 2007

Paul Jaboulet Aine, Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise, Le Chant des Griolles 2007 The nose features the expected orange blossom of Muscat with the region’s typical spiritous character in the subtly in the background. In the mouth you’ll find oranges and cinnamon, … Continue reading

Posted in Fortified dessert, France, Late Harvest White, Muscat, Muscat Beaumes de Venise, Rhône, White Dessert | Tagged | Leave a comment

Penfolds Club Reserve Aged Tawny

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

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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Rare Wine Co. Malmsey Special Reserve

The Rare Wine Co., Madeira, Historic Series, New York Malmsey, Special Reserve nv The nose is smoky and dark, with brown sugar and more than a hint of the fortifying spirit. In the mouth, the pruny character is in full … Continue reading

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Dow’s Porto LBV 2004

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

Blandy 5 Year Bual

Blandy’s, Madeira, 5 Year Old, Bual nv Toffee meets raisins with a spriritous character in the nose. In the mouth the weight is there, with nuttiness, caramel and a lighter shade of residual sugar than you find with Blandy’s Malmsey. … Continue reading

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Fonseca 20 Year Old Tawny

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

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