2003 Sauvingon, Groth, Napa - $60.00
The clean, crisp flavors of Groth Sauvignon Blanc can be enjoyed with many different foods. The classic combination of oysters and Sauvignon Blanc plays up the citrus quality of the wine. The smoky flavors of grilled fish or poultry emphasize the melon flavor of the Sauvignon Blanc. These flavors are especially good when the fish or poultry is served with any tomato or fruit salsa. The crisp flavors allow Groth Sauvignon Blanc to be paired with ethnic foods that have hot, spicy flavors of garlic, herbs, and peppers. Many Thai and Indian restaurants serve Groth Sauvignon Blanc. It acts as a palate cleanser for these strong flavors. Vegetarian meals also benefit from the flavors of this Sauvignon Blanc.
Innocuous enough in the glass, this wine has very little color, but bring it to your nose and let the fireworks begin. The notes that I wrote down about the aroma read "holy sh*t - green apple suprise." Indeed, the bouquet is laden with juicy green apple and gardenia scents that literally made my mouth water. On the toungue it is crisp with just the right amount of acidity, and I swear on my life, tastes like liquid night blooming Jasmine flowers. When I taste wines for notes, I always spit, but this wine I swallowed without a second thought. www.vinography.com.
2002 Pouilly Fumé (Sauvingon Blanc) Vielle Vignes
Regis Minet - $55.00
Full, fragrant, mineral bouquet. Superb extraction on the palate. Wonderful ripe fruit and mineral, slightly smoky and subtle hints of asparagus. Perfect balance and long, fine finish.
Lovely pure, fresh extracted nose - very mineral. Wonderful concentration and purity. Full, intense, mineral fruit with more weight and structure than the above. Superb delineation and incredible length.
Clean aromas of tangerine, hay and mineral; melon, lemon-lime and Granny Smith apple flavors with vanilla and mineral hints; zesty acidity; balanced. Character-filled white. Almond and spice notes on the nose give way to a focused palate of lemon, honeysuckle, minerals and dried herbs, with a steely backbone of acidity carrying it all to a lengthy finish.
2001 Meursault (Chardonnay) Vieilles, Domaine Paul Garaudet - $110.00
Paul Garaudet is among the most consistent producers in the village, offering full-bod-ied, sappy examples of Chardonnay. The quality/price ratio here is astounding. Rich minerally nose of white flowers, white peach and hawthorne. Very clean palate with hazelnut nuttiness, minerals and soft, ripe apricot and white peach follow-through. Very clean fresh finish. A complex nose and a full finish with overtones of hazelnut and a slight nervousness on the palate.
2001 Chardonnay, Mer Soleil, Central Coast - $100.00
Wine Spectator rating 91 points: A ripe, opulent style, with a tasty core of apple, citrus, pineapple and melon, accented by spicy, toasty oak and hints of hazelnut and earth, which turn complex and expansive on the finish. Drink now through 2007."
Aromas of mango, lemon peel, honeysuckle and brown spices. In the mouth, an immediate impression of ripe tropical fruits, butter, vanilla and honey. As the wine evolves across the tongue, a crisper note of citrus unfolds. The texture is dense and viscous, and the ripe-fruit sweetness and fresh acidity interplay as the wine lingers on the palate long after the last sip.
2002 Chardonnay 'Hudson's Vineyard', Ramey, Napa-Carneros, - $160.00
Due to their great density and structure, this wine is able to absorb more oak without being overwhelmed, and see around seventy percent new Burgundian barrels. In addition, this wine spends more time in the barrel, up to twenty-one months, and completely sur lies, before being bottled without filtration. Hudson Vineyard wines tend to be a more muscular and masculine character.
91 California Grapevine, Vol. 30, No. 6, Dec 2004-Jan 2005, p. 114
Medium-light golden yellow; attractive, intense, toasty, buttery, ripe pear aroma with notes of toasted hazelnut; full body; crisp, lemony, pear and green apple flavors with good depth; well balanced and structured; lingering aftertaste. Very highly recommended.
91 Robert M. Parker Jr.'s The Wine Advocate 02-28-05, Issue 157
The 2002 Chardonnay Hudson Vineyard reveals beautiful fruit, an alluring minerality, crisp lemon oil, orange blossom, and honeysuckle characteristics, full body, and plenty of concentration.
Four stars Ronn Wiegand's Restaurant Wine, Vol. 17, No. 1
One of the best Chardonnays of the vintage. The Hudson is round and full bodied; a medium intense Chardonnay, which is fleshy and long on the palate, and tastes of cherimoya, roasted nut, vanilla, oak, and pineapple.
1999 Barolo (Nebbiolo) 'Cannubi', Marchesi di Barolo - $110.00
"Ruby red color with lots of oak in the aroma along with ripe black cherry and a slightly charred wood note. Medium-full to full body with excellent concentration. This is a modern style Barolo with rich, ripe fruit and young, but balanced tannins and moderate acidity. This should hold well for 10-15 years".
Marchesi di Barolo dates back to the 12th century, when the land-owning Falletti family of Barolo was granted titles of nobility. Today the estate owns approximately 100 acres of vineyards in the Langhe, including some of the finest in Barolo. Most Italian wine experts hail the single-vineyard Barolo Cannubi DOCG as the ultimate definition of a world-class Barolo. Marchesi di Barolo owns a major portion of this famed vineyard and its Barolo Cannubi is well known for its rich perfume, complexity of flavor and seductive smoothness that develop with aging.
2000 Barolo (Nebbiolo) 'Cannubi', Virna Borgogno, Piedmont, Italy - $140.00
In her own words, Virna Borgogno identifies her goal as follows; 'the entire process, from the growing of the grapes, through the wine-making procedures to the ageing in oak casks, are followed with scrupulous attention to detail in order to provide the clientele with an absolute certainty: genuine wines of outstanding value.'
"Virna Barolo; Sumptuous aromas of fine leather - or is it suede, burst from the glass, accompanied by cherries, underbrush & dusty earth. Thick & tarry on the finish, with chewy tannins & hints of anise. 90 pts." "Virna Cannubi Boschis; This is a great value in Barolo. It's a big, somewhat rustic wine, with scents of horse sweat & leather intermingling with black cherries. Anise & intense, meaty flavors chime in on the long, firm finish. Try 2008 or beyond. Editor's Choice. 92 pts." - Wine Enthusiast Magazine reported in April 2004
1999 Brunello (Sangiovese) di Montalcino 'Poggio Salvi', Biondi Santi - $140.00
In the Biondi-Santi fashion, today's classic Brunello boasts an intense ruby-red color that turns garnet with age. Intense and ethereal aromas emerge from a rich and elegant bouquet offering scents of sun-soaked cherries, violets, underbrush and spice. Dry and moderately tannic, the body is warm, robust and well-balanced by the distinct touch of crisp Italian acidity.
Located in Tuscany's sangiovese-growing region, Brunello di Montalcino is the only wine required to be made entirely, and only, from the sangiovese grape. Brunello di Montalcino was one of the first half-dozen wines to be awarded DOCG (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Guarantita) status, in 1980. Brunello's DOC certificate had been granted in 1966; it was one of the first reds to be recognized, only three years after Italy's DOC program had been created.
1998 I Sodi Di San Niccolo, Castellare - $135.00
85% Sangiovese, 15% Malvasia Nera.
Tasting note: Wonderful aromas of berries, roses and raspberries. Medium-bodied, with tight and silky tannins and a long, long finish. A very fine wine. Worth the wait. Best after 2003. 2,000 cases made.
Score - 90. (James Suckling, Oct. 31, 2002)
Score - Three Glasses (out of 3). (Gambero Rosso Italian Wines 2003)
"I Sodi" refers to land that is difficult to till and must be harvested by hand, "di San Niccolo" refers to an abandoned church on the Castellare property. This wine was created with the goal of demonstrating that the native grapes of the region could produce a wine of the highest international standards, without the aid of varietals outside of the Chianti tradition. The goal has been achieved as I Sodi is consistently ranked in the top 100 internationally.
2000 Savigny-les-Beaune (Pinot Noir), Bouchard Pere et Fils, Burgundy,
France - $70.00
A classic Pinot Noir from one of the most delightful villages in the Côte d'Or, and one of the best known. There is a definite style to the wines near Beaune: they tend to be more voluptuous and silky than wines from further north. Here is a good example of this, one that goes fantastically well with lamb and beef, as well as mature, soft cheeses.
Savigny is the village with the greatest area of Pinot Noir in the Côte d'Or after Beaune and Santenay. The perfumed wines are full of raspberries and other red fruits, with a fresh lightness of touch. These wines can epitomize the seductiveness of Pinot Noir.
"An attractive, plump, fresh medium-bodied wine with moderate structure and tannin. Stylish. Positive. Good from 2004" - Clive Coates MW
2001 Pommard (Pinot Noir), Comte Armand, Burgundy,
France - $140.00
Because of the thinness of the skins, Pinot Noir wines are lighter in colour, body and tannins. However the best wines have grip, complexity and an intensity of fruit seldom found in wine from other grapes. Young Pinot Noir can smell almost sweet, redolent with freshly crushed raspberries, cherries and redcurrants. When mature, the best wines develop a sensuous, silky mouth feel with the fruit flavours deepening and gamey "sous-bois" nuances emerging.
"Until 1994 this was an estate which existed on its one single monopoly, the Clos des Epeneaux, but has since expanded significantly. Since hiring the young French-Canadian Pascal Marchand in 1985, the improvement has been exponential." --CC
Ripe, sweet, fragrant bouquet - very pure. Rich, concentrated, ripe, pure fruit on the palate. Luscious and elegant but with a meaty grip and good structure. Racy acidity and real finesse. Good, long finish. - Gauntleys of Nottingham
2002 Pinot Noir 'Sleepy Hollow Vineyard' Mendelson Santa Lucia, California - $125.00
Deep and rich in colour. Expressive notes of bright red and black fruits (cherry,blackberry) and cinnamon spice, with hints of chocolate, licorice and vanilla. Combines power and concentration with soft tannins and a long finish. Excellent food wine and well balanced for long-term aging.
"Rusty garnet hue. Rich aromas of red cherry, cranberry, pecan and clove. Sweet peppery flavors of ripe cherry, cedar, maple and clove. Lots of fruit in the toasty close". ---The Wine News
"Some toastiness, with bright cherries, silky and substantial. Hold for two years but a keeper for 20" 4 Stars! Recomended! "Alan Goldfarb Decanter Magazine
2001 Côte Rôtie (Syrah) "Les Jumelles", Jaboulet, Rhône, France - $130.00
The Côte Brune consists of granite terraces covered with a layer of clay and iron oxide which gives a typical tannic wine that can be laid down for a long time; the Côte Blonde, with the same terraces, covered with a layer of siliceous limestone, produce very soft wine with great finesse.
The Côte Rôtie ‹‹Les Jumelles ››is a mixture of both of these terroirs giving this wine a complex mixture of finesse and tannins. It is excellent served with beef fillet braised with foie gras and beef ribs. It can be laid down for 5 to 25 years.
"2001... Very good. Lively year if picked before September rain. Fresh fruit, good acidity, can age very well. Top year at Côte Rôtie." ---Hugh Johnson Pocket Wine Book 2005
2002 Cornas (Syrah), Noel Verset - $100.00
The venerable Noel Verset makes wine in a decidedly traditional manner as he has been doing for well over 60 vintages. The fruit from 90+ year old vines planted before his birth is hand harvested from the steep granitic slopes of Cornas, crushed with stems and fermented in concrete vats. Without a smack of new oak, his wines are all aged in 20hl foudres, bringing out the true minerally, animale characteristics of Syrah. The winemaking is old-fashioned but the results are incredible; from very low-yielding vines, the intensity of fruit is remarkable. This could be one of your last opportunities to pick-up Verset's traditional Cornas before the Domaine is closed for ever.
"Very dark core; medium purple-violet rim. More vegetal and bell-peppery, with some parsley notes and what seems oak appearing with time, but also a nicely gentle touch of woman's perfume. Very intense and mouth filling on the palate, but also here quite evidently green, in fact almost Cabernet-like in this character and I wonder how many people would be mistaken if served this blind. Strong, masculine finish where a touch of coffee and meat stock intervenes." --'UK Wine Forum' review
2002 Shiraz Reserve, Lengs & Cooter, McLaren Vale - $120.00
Rich, ripe and plush, dense with bay leaf scented black fruit and dusky spice flavors, which echo on the round, chewy finish. Best from 2004 through 2010. 140 cases made. - H.S.
Tasting note: The 2000 Shiraz Reserve from McLaren Vale is superior. It possesses an opaque purple color as well as a big, sweet nose of blackberries and cherries intertwined with hints of tar and spicy new wood (80% new American oak is utilized). This full-bodied, fruit-forward, and consumer-friendly wine should last for a decade, but I would opt for drinking it over the next 5-7 years. Score - 91". (Robert Parker Jr., www.erobertparker.com, Oct. 2002)
2002 Zinfandel 'Collins Vineyard', Limerick Lane, Russian River Valley, California - $85.00
2002 Collins Vineyard Zinfandel rated 92 Points in the December 15, 2004 issue of Wine Enthusiast Magazine.
"A great Zin, rich and opulent. Floods the mouth with briary blackberry, blueberry, cherry chocolate and pepper flavors that just take over the palate. Yet the wine is dry and balanced, with firm, ripe tannins. One of the best Zins of the year."
2002 Collins Vineyard Zinfandel ranked #21 of the top 100 wines of 2004 in the December 15, 2004 issue of Wine Enthusiast Magazine
Matt Kramer's New California Wine says..."Limerick Lane Cellars - One of Russian River Valley's supreme producers. If you want to taste Zinfandel at it's most Pinot Noir-like pristine - the sort of Zin only the Russian River Valley can create - then it's Limerick Lane you should seek out. The wine comes entirely from the century-old Collins Vineyard, owned by the winery. Also, there's a rich, deep, supple, memorable Syrah from Collins Vineyard as well. This is a winery that has no need to put on airs (and it doesn't). It quietly creates unusually consistent Zinfandel and Syrah and has a loyal following to applaud its effort. Count me among them."
2002 Merlot, Whitehall Lane, Napa - $85.00
This full-bodied, harmonious Merlot has rich aromas of blackberry, plum and toasty oak. The wine is youthfully bright, delivering flavors of ripe blackberry, blueberry and spice. It is pleasantly balanced with good weight in the mid-palate and a velvety, lingering finish. Enjoyable now with aging potential to 2008. Blend 89% Merlot 11% Cabernet Sauvignon.
90 PTS WINE SPECTATOR. "The '02 Whitehall Lane is an impressive Merlot, with a dark, rich, concentrated core of flavors dominated by earthy currant, blackberry, cedar, anise, and lead pencil notes."
2002 Merlot, Robert Keenan Winery, Napa Valley - $80.00
One hundred percent Merlot -- no other varietals were added. The resulting wine shows intense plum, black cherry and blackberry aromas that are enhanced by a toasty oak background. Expect this Merlot to open up to a rich, velvety, full-bodied wine.
Merlot grown in the Carneros tends to be very fruity and soft with distinctive spicy nuances. In 1989 Keenan began purchasing Merlot from the Carneros to blend with the estate Merlot grown on Spring Mountain. The two wines are a great match; the Carneros Merlot softens the dense, powerful wines produced from the estate grown fruit. But, in 1999 we were so happy with how the Carneros Merlot was tasting,we decided to bottle a small amount on its own. We have made this a tradition; 2001 marks our third vintage of single vineyard Carneros Merlot.
"The 2001 Carneros Merlot shows raspberry and ripe plum aromas, yet coffee and cinnamon nuances become more pronounced as the wine opens up. Mouth-filling flavors and well-balanced structure allow it to show wonderfully with a variety of well seasoned dishes"
2003 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition: Silver Medal
2002 Cabernet Sauvignon, Von Strasser, Diamond Mountain, California - $110.00
The 2002 Diamond Mountain District Cabernet Sauvignon is a great expression of Diamond Mountain as a whole. The Cabernet lots for this wine are blended from select distinctive vineyards, all within the Diamond Mountain AVA. Each individual vineyard, coming from different elevations and exposures throughout the mountain, adds its own distinct character. The lots are specifically chosen for their unique combination of concentration, bright fruit aromas and elegance
The Wine & Spirits magazine review of April 2001 is simply too poetic to ignore... "Close your eyes and you can imagine the scent of volcanic soils on Diamond Mountain, the ancient crushed lava seemingly apparent right there in the glass - though here it's just part of the supporting structure for the luscious, ripe plum flavors filling this delicious wine. Take a sip and the deep well of fruit submerges that earthy structure, the plumminess expanding into the finish, generous, rich lively and vibrant.
2000 Cabernet Sauvignon, Newton, Napa - $145.00
(Recommended by Vines magazine & Toronto Star)
"The fruit from the mountain slopes of Newton Vineyard boasts that complex bouquet of cherries, currants and blackberries. In the mouth, it has that supple texture that is memorable."
Dr. Newton is now the winemaker, assisted and advised in the merlot program by Michel Rolland. Paul Pontallier of Château Margaux, and Dominique Lafon of Meursault, mentor her in pursuit of great Cabernet and Chardonnay, respectively. All her wines are fermented using natural yeast, and all the wines are bottled unfiltered. Volcanic soil on the steep slope assures a well-drained, nutrient-poor environment for the vines. Altitude (as much as 485 metres above the valley floor) combined with a western exposure, assures lower overall temperatures, yet long exposure to sunlight. The result is intense fruit with great balance and acidity that comes from slowly ripened fruit and very low yields. Cabernet sauvignon, merlot and petit verdot form the basis for her Bordeaux-style wines.
2002 Cabernet Sauvignon, Regusci, Napa - $140.00
The 2002 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is filled with black cherry, chocolate, red fruits, and a signature of the Stags Leap District, a pleasant leafy accent. The wine flavors are full, deep and balanced with an elegant finish. Enjoy! Drink now through 2011.
Liquid poetry. Cocoa and coffee aromas and a whack 'o black currant, too. Rich, lush and exotic all at the same time. Silken and seamless; even now, within days of release, this wine is approachable. How surprised are we that this wine is sublime? This is the same fruit that is sold to Phelps as a component for its killer red, Insignia. It's also been sold to Clos du Val and to Merus for their exciting, beautiful wines.
------ www.ilovenapa.com
2000 Cabernet Sauvignon, Heitz Cellars, Napa Valley, California California - $150.00
Heitz Cellars is on a quiet cul-de-sac just off of Napa Valley's Silverado Trail. No glitz has invaded this locale. This is a working winery and it is a monument to the talent of Joe Heitz. Joe started in 1961 when there were only twelve other wineries in the valley.
Napa Valley is Heitz' "basic" Napa cuvee and it puts many other famous cabernets to shame. Joe's style has always been to pick late to get maximum maturity and complexity. This adds depth and complexity of flavour and aromas. The 2000 Napa Valley Cabernet is a beautifully crafted wine from a consistent producer.
Gorgeous, elegant fruit is deftly balanced with the round, supple tannins and nuances of limousin oak. The flavors are rich and full-bodied on the palate with a silky soft finish that reinforces the overall harmony. An impressive Cabernet Sauvignon!
2000 Cabernet Sauvignon, Jordan Vineyards, Sonoma,
California - $140.00
80% Cabernet Sauvignon 20% Merlot
The bouquet offers subtle notes of cassis, black cherry currants and chocolate. It is a richly textured wine with lush, ripe flavors of blackberry, bing cherry, cassis and raspberry. Slight earthy notes of tobacco and cedar and a subtle framework of oak complete this delicious wine. 80% Cabernet Sauvignon 20% Merlot
"The 2000 Cabernet Sauvignon is a wine that possesses layers of cassis, blackberry, coffee, cedar and vanilla. Rich, intense and complex, the 2000 vintage will be remembered as one of the more age worthy wines we have produced."-- www.nicholasrobertsltd.com
2001 Cabernet Sauvignon, Silver Oak, Napa Valley - $265.00
86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot.
An exceptionally long growing season helped make our 2000 vintage one of the most complex and memorable wines we have produced. Extra time on the vine proved extremely beneficial for the wine, which was aged in 100% new American oak barrels for approximately 25 months. The wine received another 18 months of bottle aging before its release.
The Silver Oak Napa Valley is a classic Cabernet Sauvignon with a dark, ruby-red color and an exquisite nose of cassis, violets, roasting coffee, chocolate, vanilla, and cloves. It has a rich, balanced mouth feel dripping with ripe berries and chocolate. Medium tannins are well integrated into the long finish. It will continue to improve to 2020, given proper cellaring." -- www.thewineconsultant.com
In the early 1970s, the Silver Oak winery emerged as a dream tied to an intrepid idea. The founders - Ray Duncan, an entrepreneur with a sense of adventure, and Justin Meyer, a former winemaker with Christian Brothers - dared to devote every effort toward the pursuit of a single wine, Cabernet Sauvignon. What's more, they resolved to create a wine with a style all its own - not another hard, tannic red wine requiring years of aging to enjoy, but a wine of fully developed flavors and a velvety soft texture on the day it is released for sale.
Ray and Justin believed that if they chose the right Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards from California's premier appellations, and if they aged their wine for as long as five years, first in American oak barrels and then in bottles, they could produce an exhilarating, smooth red wine.
2000 'Symmetry', Rodney Strong Vineyards, Alexander Valley - $120.00
The Symmetry greets you with an opulent bouquet of blackberries, ripe dark plums and sweet spices. The wine opens generously on the palette with layers of blackberries, cassis and plums framed with accents of dark chocolate and sweet spices. The finish is long, rich and supple.
Made with cabernet sauvignon, merlot and cabernet franc from mountain and hillside vineyards in Alexander Valley, where well-drained, volcanic soils combine with warm, sunny days and cool nights to provide ideal growing conditions for Bordeaux varieties. Each vineyard is hand harvested individually, fermented separately and aged for two years in French and American oak barrels. Every barrel is tasted and graded, and only the highest graded barrels are considered for the final blend.
The 2001 Symmetry has an opulent bouquet of blackberries, ripe dark plums and sweet spices. The wine opens generously on the palate with layers of blackberry, cassis and plum framed with accents of dark chocolate and spice. The finish is persistent and smooth. This wine is at once rich, harmonious, powerful and elegant; a wine intended to be enjoyable on release, yet destined for years of further evolution in the bottle. Savor it!
1999 'The Signature' Yalumba, Barossa Valley - $85.00
Robert Parker rated this wine 95 points and writes: A compelling offering, the 1999 Shiraz/Cabernet The Signature (56% Cabernet Sauvignon and 44% Shiraz) possesses a dense purple color along with a sweet, multilayered personality revealing aromas and flavors of earth, blackberries, cassis, and vanilla. This offering spent 22 months in a combination of both new and used French and American oak. With considerable authority and power, it requires 2-3 more years of bottle age, and should last for 12-15 years.
"(RP 95) A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz that aged in a combination of French and American hogsheads as well as smaller barrels. Its deep, sweet perfume of blackberries, camphor, damp earth, vanilla, licorice and pepper is followed by a powerful, flavorful, intense wine revealing high tannins as well as impressive concentration. (RP Jr)"
Yalumba The Signature 'John Heine' 1999 ****1/2
Slightly closed nose with lovely prune and estery fruit nuances with a hint of meaty and smoky complexity. The young and evolving palate has medium weight yet great concentration to the blackberry, herb and harmonious oak characters.
2002 Isosceles, Justin Vineyards & Winery, Paso Robles,
California - $150.00
93% Cab Sauvignon, 3% CabFranc, 4% Merlot
Justin produced the first Bordeaux-blend in Paso Robles. You may have seen 1997 Isosceles recently in Wine Spectator alongside Chateau Montelena and Screaming Eagle. In fact, 1997 Isosceles was #6 in the Wine Spectator Top 100 for 2000, hailed as "the best wine ever made from the Paso Robles region of California's Central Coast".
The 2002 ISOSCELES has a deep, dark purple hue. Subtle blackberry aromas combine with coffee and earthy tones in this opulent Bordeaux blend. The entry into the 2002 ISOSCELES is fruit forward and rich on the palate. Flavors of cherry, cassis and a hint of plum evolve into layers of chocolate and caramel. The depth of the wine consumes your mouth, and creates a seamless, full-bodied texture from conception to the soft, integrated, French oak finish
1986 Port 'Guimaraens' Fonseca - $130.00
Grape Variety: Touriga Nacional
93% Cab Sauvignon, 3% CabFranc, 4% Merlot
Produced in years classified as "good" but not "classic", this Guimaraens Vintage Port from Fonseca comes from three class A vineyards in the Upper Douro Valley - Quinta do Cruzeiro, Quinta do Santo Antonio and Quinta do Panascal. This rich, dark ruby coloured port should definitely be decanted before serving to allow the full magic of the complex perfume to emerge. On the palate, the port has mingling aromas of sweetmeats and summer fruits with a delightful lingering finish, guaranteed to make your heart sing. Great vintage!
In In undeclared vintages Fonseca bottles Guimaraens, provided the quality of the fruit is sufficient. This has a good depth of colour, with a moderate red-tawny hue. The nose has exotic notes of musky scent and spiced woods, together with some chocolate edged fruit. The palate has an impressive texture and sweetness immediately apparent on entry. Good fruit and a nice backbone of soft tannins. Elegant, with a touch of complexity, with balance, very much in the house style. Very good. (5/3/04)
1994 Port Quinta do Vesuvio - $200.00
Robert Parker, rating 96 points "Terrific aromas of berries and violets, with a hint of mint. Full-bodied and lightly sweet, with fine, silky tannins that build on the palate and caress the tongue. Outstanding concentration and harmony. Greatest Ves�vio this century."
