Port tasting notes from Peter Wood
BOTTLED 2012
Wow! A delightful aroma coming out of cherry, smoke and thyme… maybe some rosemary too. The palate is gentle, well integrated alcohol, firm tannin, and the alcohol comes out a little too, but really nice and dark. Sure, it needs some time to mature, but it is very drinkable now if you like a big port. 90pts (February 2017)
BOTTLED 2016
Warm jammy brambles with some chocolate and chilli pepper aromas (strangely) and some fresh cherry on the nose. The palate has a nice spice up front, a lot of tannin – soft, but very firm – and then the alcohol I remember from Niepoort’s LBV comes out. A lot of savoury flavours on the end, with a warm spice coming out. Nice. 88pts (February 2017)
Cherry, lots of cherry coming off the nose. There is a jammy element coming out with some warm honey as well. The palate is quite thick with some big tannin, moderate alcohol and then a lot of spice coming off. Nice and juicy, well made, but I think a tiny bit clumsy on the midpalate before it cleans itself up and finished off well. 87pts (February 2017)
Strawberry red core with a brick colour around the rim, and the wine has an orange marmalade aroma up front, polished wood with some cinnamon pastry. The palate has more dried fruit up front, then a lovely brandy flavour coming out. Very soft, with little prickles of alcohol coming through, it is a super wine that offers great value for money. 90pts (February 2017)
A cherry red coloured tawny port, with some slight orange hints on the rim. The nose has a cranberry, cherry menthol aroma with some slight spice hints. The palate is nicely balanced, with dried berries, dried leaves and the brandy note coming out quite a bit. Very little alcohol burn though. A really nice port. 89pts (February 2017)
A lemon and salty aroma, hints of honey and apricot coming off the nose with some sweet anise aromas. The palate is lovely, honey, then some lemon and melon flavours. The alcohol is very gentle and it is very well balanced. 90pts (February 2017)
Bright aromas of lemon and, a slight hint, of home made lemonade with a touch of lime skin. The palate is very gentle, some honey notes, a little pepper and with some minerally notes. Some grapefruit pith emerges and there is a lovely long, citrus finish. 88pts (Dec 2011)
Big, jammy with lots of sweet aromas and rich bramble spiced with cloves. There is a touch of lighter jam flavours, some rich bramble, cherry and menthol. An earthy note comes through, with leather and baked fruit pie and cinnamon on the finish. 89pts (Dec 2011)
Surprisingly bright with juniper and sweet cherry. Lots of menthol, a touch of chocolate and bonfire toffee. Flavours of herbs, chocolate, coffee bean, blackcurrants and lots of mint. Dark and concentrated on the finish. Tasty. 89pts (Dec 2011)
Bottling Date Unknown
A stunning vintage tawny, bright, fresh with some jam and nuts coming from the wine. A lot of leathery flavours, some sweet pipe tobacco and a delicious spice with hazelnuts and cashews – it is like getting a bag of fruit and nut mix and putting them in your mouth! 86pts (Dec 2011)
