2003 Quinta do Portal

[morteno]

Tasted on October 25, 2008. More details here.

Having hear so many good things about this port I was a little biased before tasting it. It had to be very, very good. Unfortunately, it wasn't that good, although I much enjoyed it. I guess I missed the train and had it a couple of years too late.

Decanted for about 10 hours. Maybe longer decanting is needed to open it up? I can't see it could hurt.

Anyhow, closed nose and taste with fruits and pepper (a typical sign for Portal's ruby style ports). Color not black/dark purple any more and this is explained by the massive amounts of sediment. A bit dry. I liked it, but I would rather have drunk Portal's 2004 or 2005 SQVP! Note to self: I should do a tasting of these three side by side ...

I will keep all my remaining bottles unopened for perhaps 5-10 years before drinking any as that may help it open up and become more interesting. For drinking now it has a wrong QPR.

[DRT]

I tasted this in Nov 2005 and recall it to be a beast of a wine with tons of fruit. From your description it seems to have closed down and your plan to leave them alone for 5-10 years seems like a good idea to me.

[ac-fast]

I agree, the Portal 03 has gone to sleep - in 2005 and 2006 it was better than now - last time I tasted it was 2 month ago. Sept. And i was disepointet. Ill try to leave them in the cellar for 5 or more years.

(sorry again my bad english)