Category Archives: Fortified dessert

Graham’s Six Grapes

Posted on August 29, 2009 by RJ

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 RJ

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 RJ

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 RJ

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 →

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

Chapoutier Banyuls 2007

Posted on July 27, 2009 by RJ

M. Chapoutier, Banyuls 2007 There’s lots of pruny complexity in the nose. In the mouth it is spot on, nuttiness and raisins tossed in molasses – yum. There was a touch of TCA in the first bottle tasted, described here … Continue reading →

Posted in Banyuls, Fortified dessert, France, Grenache, Roussillon | Leave a comment

Broadbent Malmsey 10

Posted on April 21, 2009 by RJ

Broadbent, Madeira, 10 Years Old, Malmsey nv This Malmsey has floral notes, minerality and a sense of the fortification. The mouth features a combo of toffee, sweetness and a balance of cranberries and acidity. The more time spent with this … Continue reading →

Posted in Fortified dessert, Madeira, Malvasia, Portugal | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Dow’s Boardroom Tawny

Posted on March 13, 2009 by RJ

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

Mas Blanc Banyuls 2006

Posted on November 19, 2008 by RJ

Domaine du Mas Blanc, Banyuls, Rimage 2006 There are Port-like notes of dried and stewed fruits topped with a nutty piece of pastry. The wine tastes of sweet black fruits and chocolate, sweet but not overly so, tasty with some … Continue reading →

Posted in Banyuls, Fortified dessert, Grenache, Roussillon | Leave a comment

Fontanel Rivesaltes Ambre 1998

Posted on November 19, 2008 by RJ

Domaine Fontanel, Rivesaltes, Ambre 1998 This golden wine smells of citrus peel and nuts. In the mouth it like eating nuts and toffee, very sweet and viscous with acidity that offsets the richness and a little warmth from the fortification … Continue reading →

Posted in Fortified dessert, France, Grenache Blanc, Roussillon | Leave a comment

Almost to Spain

Posted on September 17, 2008 by RJ

Les Clos de Paulilles, Banyuls Rimage 2005 There are stewed fruits and raisins to smell while the mouth is a supple presentation of evolving fruit and moderate sweetness that is crying out for dark chocolate. The grapes are 100% Grenache … Continue reading →

Posted in Banyuls, Fortified dessert, France, Grenache, Roussillon | Leave a comment