Category Archives: Portugal

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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Dow’s Vintage Porto 2007

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

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Soalheiro Vinho Verde 2008

Soalheiro, Vinho Verde, Moncao, Alvarinho 2008 In the nose you’ll find lime and stones. In the mouth the lime really shows, with plenty of tart character, long acidity, good concentration and a bit of petillance – very refreshing. I know … Continue reading

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Niepoort Tawny 10

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

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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Graham’s Six Grapes

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

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Famega Vinho Verde Branco 2008

Fâmega, Vinho Verde DOC, Vinho Branco 2008 This latest vintage is true to form, petillant, light-bodied and zippy. The latest bottling code is # 0905051for the bottle purchased on Jan. 27, 2010. The previous was # 0905049 when this post … Continue reading

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Broadbent Malmsey 10

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

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Dow’s 10 Year Tawny

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

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Taylor Fladgate LBV 2003

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

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