Port Wines
Duorum - 2015
Vintage Port
(bottled in 2018) The nose is aromatic, elegant and offers a small captivating side. It reveals notes of cassis, blackberry and small notes of spices associated with touches of flowers, rose as well as discreet touches of Zan. The palate is fruity, well-balanced, quite frank, slightly tight and offers a good definition, a slight suavity, precision, a slight straightness, freshness as well as a small mineral frame. On the palate this wine expresses notes of black cherry, crushed cassis and small notes of Quetshe plum associated with slight touches of crushed raspberries, liquorice, chocolate, caramelization as well as a very discreet hint of flowers and Cuben pepper. Tannins are fine and slightly firm. There are hints of cocoa, coffee / almond on the finish / persistence.
Score : 15.5/20 (90-91/100)
Borges - 2014
LBV Port
The nose is flowery, aromatic and offers a small power. It reveals notes of violet, lilac and small notes of blackberry associated with touches of blue fruits, discreet hints of liquorice, cedar wood as well as very discreet hints of spices and cardamom hints. The palate is fruity, well-balanced, slightly tight and offers a good definition, minerality, finesse, a fine freshness, a beautiful elegance, precision as well as a mineral frame. It reveals notes of blackberry, cassis, blueberry and small notes of violet / lilac associated with small / slight touches of red fruit, Zan, graphite, mocha and caramelization. Tannins are elegant and very slightly mellow. Good length.
Score : 16.5+/20 (93-94/100)
Quinta de la Rosa - 2014
LBV Port
(bottled in 2018) The nose is aromatic, elegant and offers gourmandise as well as a small power. It reveals notes of strawberry, blueberry and small notes of violet associated with small touches of cornflower, spices and Cuben pepper. The palate is fruity, well-balanced and offers a beautiful definition, minerality, a small acidulous frame, gourmandise, a very slight unctuosity, precision as well as elegance. On the palate this wine expresses notes of red cherry, raspberry and small notes of crushed cassis, blueberry associated with small touches of flowers (violet, cornflower, a hint of rose), as well as touches of liquorice, chocolate and caramelization. There is a very discreet hint of almond on the aftertaste.
Score : 16.75/20 (93-94/100)
Quinta Das Tecedeiras Colheita 2008
Port
(bottled in 2016) The nose is aromatic and offers gourmandise. It reveals notes of candied cherry, candied strawberry and small notes of crushed blackberry combined with slight touches of olive tree, candied orange as well as slight hints of caramelization, chocolate, dry small fruits, dried fig and an imperceptible hint of flowers (in the background). The palate is fruity, well-balanced and offers a good definition, a slight juicy frame as well as minerality. On the palate this wine expresses notes of black cherry, crushed strawberry and small notes of crushed blueberry associated with touches of violet, liquorice, tobacco, cardamom as well as a very discreet hint of flower, vanilla and caramelization. There are a hint of tonka bean and coffee on the persistence. A wine full of gourmandise !
Score : 16.25/20 (92-93/100)
Bulas - 2013
LBV Porto
(bottled in 2017) The nose is powerful. It reveals notes of cassis, blackberry and small notes of crushed blue berry, Kirsh cherry associated with slight touches of gray pepper, liquorice and spices. The palate is fruity, well-balanced and offers a beautiful gourmandise, unctuosity, a slight acidulous frame, power, straightness, precision as well as a very slightly tight and gourmande matter. On the palate this wine expresses notes of black cherry, cocoa, crushed blackberry and small notes of crushed blueberry, Kirsh cherry associated with small touches of caramelization as well as discreet hints of cedar wood and toasted almond. Good length.
Score : 17/20 (94/100)
Duorum - 2012
LBV Port
(bottled in 2017) The nose is aromatic, elegant and offers a small complexity as well as power. It reveals notes of cassis, raspberry and small notes of blackberry associated with small touches of Sichuan pepper, violet, liquorice as well as a very discreet hint of cardamom and an imperceptible hint of olive. The mouth is gourmande, precise, well-built and offers a small fleshiness, a good definition as well as a beautiful finesse of the grain. On the palate this wine expresses notes of black cherry, cassis and small notes of blackberry associated with small touches of crus hed red fruit (Gariguette strawberry) as well as slight touches of chocolate, caramelization, vanilla as well as a very discreet hint of olive.
Score : 17/20 (94/100)
Vasques de Carvalho - 2013
LBV Porto
(bottled in 2017) The nose is powerful, elegant and offers finesse. It reveals notes of fleshy cassis, boysenberry and wild berry associated with small touches of small red fruits, lilac, Cuben pepper as well as discreet hints of chocolate and a very discreet hint of eucalyptus. The palate is fruity, well-balanced, beautifully gourmande, slightly tight and offers a good definition, minerality, a slight acidulous frame, a small tension, a small freshness, a slight unctuosity as well as a slight suavity. On the palate this wine expresses notes of cassis, blueberry and small notes of kirsch cherry associated with small / slight touches of raspberry, chocolate, caramelization, spices and eucalyptus / olive tree. Tannins are fine and well-built. There is a very discreet hint of hazelnut on the finish. Good length and good persistence.
Score : 16.5/20 (93/100)
Kopke - 2008 White Colheita
Porto
(bottled in 2018) The nose is fine and slightly tight. It reveals notes of Zante currant, dried fig and small notes of quince, candied citrus associated with small / slight touches of cedar wood, dried apricot, spices as well as discreet hints of sweet spices and a very discreet hint of fresh walnut. The palate is fruity, well-balanced and offers finesse, suavity, fat, a good definition as well as a slight mineral frame in the background. On the palate this wine expresses notes of Zante currant, dried fig, quince and small notes of date associated with small touches of caramelization / pâtisseries, minerality as well as very discreet hints of dried fruit (fresh walnut, dried almond). Good length. Good persistence (with notes of almond / dried fruits).
Score : 16.25+/20 (93/100)
Kopke - 1978 Colheita
Porto
(bottled in 2017) The nose is powerful and aromatic. It reveals notes of dry white grape, dried lemon, dried mandarin, fig and small notes of date combined with small hints of pâtisseries, a discreet hint of dried flower, sandalwood as well as a very discreet hint of pepper (in the background). The palate is fruity, wellbalanced, suave, gourmand, elegant, precise and offers unctuosity, fat, a bit aerial side, a small tension as well as a slight acidulous frame (in the background). On the palate this wine expresses notes of dried white grape, date, dried apricot and small notes of dried citrus fruit (quince, mandarin) combined with a touch of mirabelle plum, caramelization, dried almond as well as fresh walnut and hazelnut. Good length. There is a discreet hint of coffee and almond on the finish / persistence. A beautifully suave wine ! A good gourmand, suave and appetizing.
Score : 16.75+/20 (94/100)
Vista Alegre - Vintage 2016, Single Estate
Porto
(bottled in 2018) The nose is aromatic, powerful, spicy and offers intensity. It reveals notes of crushed plum, blueberry and gray pepper combined with touches of sour cherry, ripe strawberry as well as discreet hints of olive, rosemary / thyme, spices and a very discreet hint of nutmeg. The palate is fruity, well-balanced, gourmande, suave and offers a fine acidulous frame, a small juiciness, power, a good structure, concentration, a beautiful straightness, a beautiful guideline, a small linear side, generosity as well as finesse. On the palate this wine expresses notes of crushed plum, crushed blackberry and small notes of black cherry associated with touches of raspberry jam, caramelized orange as well as touches of liquorice, olives, grove, slight touches of chocolate and a hint of gray pepper. Good length.
Score : 16.5/20 (93/100)
Quinta Valle Longo - Vintage 2016, Single Estate
Porto
(bottled in 2018) The nose is powerful, concentrated and offers intensity as well as a small complexity. It reveals notes of crushed blackberry, crushed black plum and small notes of black cherry associated with small touches of redcurrant jam, garrigue / rosemary, gray pepper as well as very discreet hints of violet, local wild flowers and spices. The palate is fruity, fine, elegant, very slightly tight and offers elegance, a good fineness of the grain, a beautiful gourmandise, a beautiful finesse, an acidulous frame, a beautiful minerality, a fine freshness as well as complexity. On the palate this wine expresses notes of crushed blackberry, crushed Quetsche plum and small notes of raspberry jam, redcurrant jam, sour cherry associated with touches of chocolate / square of dark chocolate, caramelization, zan as well as discreet hints of tobacco and violet. Tannins are elegant and discreetly mellow. Good length. There are a very discreet hint of cedar, local
wild flowers and an imperceptible hint of dried almond on the persistence.
Score : 16.25/20 (92-93/100)
Vista Alegre - LBV 2013, Unfiltered
Porto
(bottled in 2017) The nose is aromatic, powerful, spicy and offers intensity. It reveals notes of crushed boysenberry, raspberry jam and small notes of crushed cassis, black/Cuben pepper combined with a very discreet touch of black olive, violet, tobacco, nutmeg and a very discreet hint of cinnamon. The palate is fruity, well-balanced, frank and offers a good definition, elegance, finesse, a beautiful juiciness, gourmandise, precision, a beautiful matter, a fresh frame, tension as well as dynamism. On the palate this wine expresses notes of boysenberry, black cherry, raspberry jam and small notes of crushed black berries, crushed plum associated with fine touches of zan, tonka bean, olive, spices as well as a very discreet hint of candied orange and caramelization (in the background). Good length. There are a hint of redcurrants jam, blackberry, chocolate and pepper / spices on the finish.
Score : 15.75/20 (91-92/100)
Ferreira 2016
Vintage Porto
(Bottled in 2018) The nose is elegant, powerful and offers a fine intensity. It reveals notes of blackberry, wild red berries, blue berries and small notes of flowers associated with touches of chocolate and gray pepper as well as a discreet hint of olive and tobacco. The palate is fruity, wellbalanced, well-built, elegant, structured, slightly restrained and offers a fine juiciness, a very fine tension, a fine acidulous frame, power as well as a small richness. On the palate this wine expresses notes of blackberry, red berries and small notes of blue berries, blueberry associated with touches of chocolate, caramelization, liquorice, eucalyptus as well as hints of spices and Timut pepper. Tannins are fine and well-built. There are an imperceptible hint of almond and oak.
Score : 16.5/20 (93/100)
Ferreira 2014
LBV, Porto
(Bottled in 2018) The nose is fruity, elegant, aromatic and beautifully defined. It reveals notes of fleshy raspberry, fleshy ripe red berry and small notes of plum associated with small touches of flower, cassis as well as discreet hints of nutmeg, spices, liquorice stick and a very discreet hint of pepper. The palate is fruity, well-balanced and offers good definition, juiciness, tension, finesse, an acid frame as well as a beautifully fine and slightly tight grain. On the palate this wine expresses notes of ripe red berries, ripe plum and small notes of raspberry associated with touches of cassis, plum, crunchy strawberry as well as slight hints of flowers, liquorice, praline, tobacco, cocoa and oak. Tannins are fine, elegant and slightly tight. The persistence is slightly powerful. A beautiful wine !
Score : 17.75/20 (95-96/100)
Offley 2016
Vintage Porto
(Bottled in 2018) The nose is fruity, mineral and offers a slight power (in the background). It reveals notes of ripe cassis, blackberry and small notes of red berry associated with a touch of plum as well as hints of cornflowers, Cuben pepper, Zan, sweet spices, liquorice stick and coffee. The palate is fruity, well-balanced and offers a good definition, juiciness, a slight straightness, precision as well as a mineral frame. On the palate this wine expresses notes of blackberry, fleshy cassis and small notes of plum associated with small touches of fleshy raspberry / cherry, graphite, chocolate, spices, liquorice as well as a very discreet hint of eucalyptus and pepper (in the background). Tannins are well-built. There is a very discreet hint of dried almond on the finish.
Score : 16.25/20 (92-93/100)
Offley 2014 - LBV
Porto
(Bottled in 2018) The nose is fruity, slightly tight, structured and offers a small concentration. It reveals notes of blackberry, small blue berries and touches of cassis, flowers, cornflowesr, slight hints of caramelization, slight toasted hints, almond, liquorice, tonka bean / cardamom as well as a very discreet hint of black olive and garrigue / thyme. The palate is fruity, well-balanced and offers a good definition, gourmandise, a slight juiciness, precision, a small fleshiness as well as an acidulous frame. On the palate this wine expresses notes of ripe / juicy redcurrants, fleshy blackberry and small notes of crushed cassis associated with touches of fleshy / juicy raspberry, blueberry, chocolate, liquorice, black olive, blond tobacco, caramelization, toasted touches / sweet spices and an imperceptible hint of scrubland / thyme (in the background). Tannins are fine and elegant. There are notes of dark chocolate, caramelization / toasty and on ripe / juicy fruit on the persistence.
Score : 16.5+/20 (93-94/100)
Taylor’s - 2013 LBV
Porto
The nose is fruity, elegant, aromatic and powerful. The wine needs to be put in carafe. It reveals notes of blueberry and ripe / cooked cassis associated with touches of crushed strawberry, rose / violet as well as slight hints of Sichuan pepper and an imperceptible hint of blond tobacco. The palate is fruity, fresh, well-balanced and offers a good definition, a slight mineral frame, a slight juiciness and dynamism. On the palate this wine expresses notes of blueberry, crushed strawberry and small notes of cassis, small red berries associated with touches of ripe / juicy citrus, hints of flower as well as a very discreet hint of citron, tobacco and an imperceptible hint of chocolate. Tannins are fine, very discreetly firm and still young. Good length.
Score : 16.75+/20 (94/100)
Offley - Colheita 1999
Porto
(Barao de Forrester. Bottled in 2018) The nose is aromatic, intense and offers a slight power, elegance as well as gourmandise. It reveals notes of dried strawberry, orange zest and small notes of peach, dried fruit associated with subtle touches of grove, spices, cinnamon, tobacco and gray pepper. The palate is fruity, well-balanced, elegant, suave, fat and offers richness, a good structure, a slight power, finesse, a very slight unctuosity, a beautiful guideline, a slight guideline, a slight acidulous frame, gourmandise as well as a good and precise matter. In the mouth this Porto expresses notes of plum, candied lemon, blackberry, candied orange, crystallized strawberry and small notes of candied mandarin zest associated with slight touches of cherry, dried fruit, caramelization, Zante currant as well as very discreet hints of cedar, praline and an imperceptible hint of pepper on the finish. Tannins are well-built and structuring. Good length and beautiful persistence. There are a touch of vanilla cream, violet / cornflowers, praline and almond / hazelnut on the persistence. The persistence is gourmande. A beautiful and gourmand Porto!
Score : 17.75/20 (95-96/100)
Sandeman 2014 - Unfiltered LBV
Porto
(Bottled in 2018) The nose is fruity, powerful and precise. It reveals notes of wild red berry, cassis and small notes of flower (iris, lilac, violet), Timut pepper associated with touches of crunchy wild strawberry, spices as well as a very discreet hint of Zan, tobacco and an imperceptible hint of camphor. The palate is fruity, juicy, well-balanced, frank and offers good definition, precision, a small tension, power as well as a small acid frame. On the palate this wine expresses notes of fleshy blackberry, cassis and small notes of crunchy strawberry, Timut / Cuben pepper associated with small touches of blueberry, plum, chocolate as well as hints of coffee, spices, cedar wood and an imperceptible hint of local vegetation (in the background). Good length. Tannins are fine and structuring. Good and gourmande persistence (with touches of dark chocolate, hazelnut, caramelization).
Score : 16.25/20 (92-93/100)
Taylor’s - Vargellas 2015
Vintage Port
A beautiful nose, elegant, aromatic, fruity, fine and offers a charming / captivating side. It reveals notes of cassis, flowers (violet, cornflowers), strawberry, cherry and small notes of raspberry, lily associated with slight touches of spices as well as a very discreet hint of pepper (in the background). The palate is fruity, juicy, gourmande, elegant, beautifully balanced and offers a beautiful delicacy, a pretty suavity, a beautiful finesse, texture, a beautiful definition as well as a small tension. On the palate this wine expresses notes of blueberry, blackberry, cherry and small notes of strawberry associated with slight hints of violet as well as an imperceptible touch of Sichuan pepper, square of dark chocolate and spices. A good and aromatic persistence. There are an imperceptible touch of dark chocolate and mint on the persistence. More finesse and less structured than the on the 2016 Vintage.
Score : 18/20 (96/100)