1994 Vista Alegre Colheita
Posted: 11:07 Fri 27 Jun 2014
Bottled in 2003 - stopper style cork - 24.43 euros
Decanted at 10am: Colour of very pale earl grey tea - very clear - not much in the nose - very light taste - hint of fruit, some heat, but not excessive
D + 8: I’m not really getting the whole “Colheita” thing - this tastes more like a mix of madeira, sherry, and moscatel - almost like a very alcoholic mead - it’s not an unpleasant drink, but if I were wearing a blindfold I don’t think I’d be saying “port” at this point.
D + 12: it’s darkened up a bit - stewed earl grey now, thickened up a bit - quite a throat hit - dried fruits like figs, sultanas - interesting right now, but i wouldn’t be ordering it at the end of a meal in a restaurant
D + 24: Aside from the feeling one might be able to breathe fire out of one’s nose, this isn’t too bad now - nice density, nice finish - still very much at the madeira end of things
D + 36: So I’m trying to change my viewpoint, throw away preconceptions about what "port" is, forgetting all the fruit based ports and see this as a new drink - long legs, smooth, thick, slightly sweet, heat in the right places - if a case of this washed up on a desert island, I’d smile and be thankful (even more thankful for the stoppered closure) - short finish though.
D + 48: (yes, I have tasted this port 3 times at 10am) This is a nice drink now - the flavours and heat are nicely balanced and, whilst I can appreciate that, I'd take some of the LBVs over this in a heartbeat - I think I prefer "red" rather than "brown" port. I have a few more colheitas in the cellar, so the jury does not yet need to decide.
Decanted at 10am: Colour of very pale earl grey tea - very clear - not much in the nose - very light taste - hint of fruit, some heat, but not excessive
D + 8: I’m not really getting the whole “Colheita” thing - this tastes more like a mix of madeira, sherry, and moscatel - almost like a very alcoholic mead - it’s not an unpleasant drink, but if I were wearing a blindfold I don’t think I’d be saying “port” at this point.
D + 12: it’s darkened up a bit - stewed earl grey now, thickened up a bit - quite a throat hit - dried fruits like figs, sultanas - interesting right now, but i wouldn’t be ordering it at the end of a meal in a restaurant
D + 24: Aside from the feeling one might be able to breathe fire out of one’s nose, this isn’t too bad now - nice density, nice finish - still very much at the madeira end of things
D + 36: So I’m trying to change my viewpoint, throw away preconceptions about what "port" is, forgetting all the fruit based ports and see this as a new drink - long legs, smooth, thick, slightly sweet, heat in the right places - if a case of this washed up on a desert island, I’d smile and be thankful (even more thankful for the stoppered closure) - short finish though.
D + 48: (yes, I have tasted this port 3 times at 10am) This is a nice drink now - the flavours and heat are nicely balanced and, whilst I can appreciate that, I'd take some of the LBVs over this in a heartbeat - I think I prefer "red" rather than "brown" port. I have a few more colheitas in the cellar, so the jury does not yet need to decide.