Category Archives: Port

Sonoma State Sensory Evaluation Workshop

Posted on March 28, 2013 by Ray

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

Posted on March 19, 2011 by Ray

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

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 →

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

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 →

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

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