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Deep red in colour with a solid rim. 99% opaque. Restrained on the nose, with a surprising lack of VA but an attractive meat and mint tone. Thick and unctuous texture and a good concentration of flavour with deep tones of prunes and damson - a fabulous palate presence. The long prune finish fades only very slowly to deliver a slightly flabby brown sugar. Tasty, but becoming slightly flabby. 87/100. 12-Jun-12.

Can you remember when this was bottled?

I would assume bottled in 2012. The majority is left in the cask until needed, with just a few bottles being held in the cellar as drinking stock - I guess the equivalent of a cellar defender if you are fortunate enough to have your own quinta!

JacobH wrote:Can you remember when this was bottled?

Probably within a week or so. Though that is just a guess as it's only bottled as needed/requested at the Quinta (the casks are stored at the Quinta and not in Gaia).

Andy Velebil wrote:

JacobH wrote:Can you remember when this was bottled?

Probably within a week or so. Though that is just a guess as it's only bottled as needed/requested at the Quinta (the casks are stored at the Quinta and not in Gaia).

+1

I loved this Colheita when we had it on the 2010 Harvest Tour. It had a nose of caramel, vanilla, brown sugar, hazelnut, and some perfumed alcohol. The palate had brilliant balance and was luscious, silky, and very rich. The acidity was great and was what kept it all in balance.

Hard to believe that 2 extra years in wood could make that big of a difference to the perception of the acidity, but that's what it sounds like is missing from this TN of Alex's.

Glenn E. wrote:Hard to believe that 2 extra years in wood could make that big of a difference to the perception of the acidity, but that's what it sounds like is missing from this TN of Alex's.

I think it is worth bearing in mind that this is not a finished wine. These bottles that we have tasted have been drawn directly from cask at various times, sometimes served immediately, sometimes stored in a fridge and opened, sometimes opened and then stored in a fridge, sometimes not. I think it is very difficult to compare notes on this wine without knowing all the parameters. Perhaps we should just enjoy the pleasure of having been lucky enough to have tasted it and not worry too much about a score

Glenn E. wrote:

Andy Velebil wrote:

JacobH wrote:Can you remember when this was bottled?

Probably within a week or so. Though that is just a guess as it's only bottled as needed/requested at the Quinta (the casks are stored at the Quinta and not in Gaia).

+1

I loved this Colheita when we had it on the 2010 Harvest Tour. It had a nose of caramel, vanilla, brown sugar, hazelnut, and some perfumed alcohol. The palate had brilliant balance and was luscious, silky, and very rich. The acidity was great and was what kept it all in balance.

Hard to believe that 2 extra years in wood could make that big of a difference to the perception of the acidity, but that's what it sounds like is missing from this TN of Alex's.

I'll have to check my notes but I thought we had the 1991 in 2010??