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Tasted as part of a Vesuvio Vertical from 1989 to 2008 at The New Cavendish Club, London on 23rd February 2010.

• Organisation thread
• Review of the evening
• Quinta do Vesuvio 1989
• Quinta do Vesuvio 1990
• Quinta do Vesuvio 1991
• Quinta do Vesuvio 1992
• Quinta do Vesuvio 1994
• Quinta do Vesuvio 1995
• Quinta do Vesuvio 1996
• Quinta do Vesuvio 1997
• Quinta do Vesuvio 1998
• Quinta do Vesuvio 1999
• Quinta do Vesuvio 2000
• Quinta do Vesuvio 2001
• Quinta do Vesuvio 2003
• Quinta do Vesuvio 2004
• Quinta do Vesuvio 2005
• Quinta do Vesuvio 2006 (Magnum)
• Quinta do Vesuvio 2007
• Quinta do Vesuvio 2007 Capela
• Quinta do Vesuvio 2008 (Work-in-progress Cask Sample*)

*Please note that the 2008 Cask Sample was donated to this tasting by the Symington family before the final blend was complete so this may not accurately represent what the Vesuvio 2008 will be, should it be approved and declared later in 2010.

Almost the same colour as the '04, though a touch darker. Quite subdued on the nose compared to the '04, albeit with quite a lot of heat. Well rounded in the mouth without a particular tannic grip.

Honestly, I was expecting a bit more from this (especially after having the 2004). Still a bit awkward, and perhaps a bit closed, this did not reveal as much intensity, complexity or structure as the 2003 or the 2000. Maybe great some day, but the jury is still out in my view. Still good, but the future development is less assured.

88 pts

I noted flowers on the nose but little else. Very closed on the palate. Too young and too late in the night for me to get a proper sense of what this wine will be.

V05: squid ink. Rougher than V00; less heat than V04.