Despite having quite a stash of these, I was surprised to note that I hadn't opened one since Feb '06.
Decanted four hours ago - as with all Vesuvios, knowing when to stop pouring is always a problem, as the dark wine obscures the fine sediment - I may have stopped a little late..
No-one does a bouquet of blackcurrant quite like Vesuvio, and this bottle is no exception.
Sampling a modest glass I find it both very young and very approachable - the 'acceptable face of young port' perhaps...
That said, I am sure it will be much improved after another ten to twenty years - there's nothing short-haul about this - no inherent weakness.
See if it evolves..
Tom
1996 Quinta do Vesuvio
- uncle tom
- Dalva Golden White Colheita 1952
- Posts: 3520
- Joined: 23:43 Wed 20 Jun 2007
- Location: Near Saffron Walden, England
1996 Vesuvio vintage port
I may be drunk, Miss, but in the morning I shall be sober and you will still be ugly - W.S. Churchill
- uncle tom
- Dalva Golden White Colheita 1952
- Posts: 3520
- Joined: 23:43 Wed 20 Jun 2007
- Location: Near Saffron Walden, England
Did I only decant this four days ago? - it seems like this decanter has been around for ages - I've had so many distractions..
Still, I've finished it now, and need to proffer a score..
For immediate gratification, I mark it down for it's youthfulness - others might be less critical on this front, but despite underlying quality, I can't give it more than 5 for here and now.
Where's it going? - Up!
With a lack of long term track record, and a very distinct signature, it's quite hard to predict where exactly this wine will be in another decade. It seems fairly forward, and I expect it to be pretty much fully mature in ten years - so I'll give it an 8.
So score 5-8
Tom
Still, I've finished it now, and need to proffer a score..
For immediate gratification, I mark it down for it's youthfulness - others might be less critical on this front, but despite underlying quality, I can't give it more than 5 for here and now.
Where's it going? - Up!
With a lack of long term track record, and a very distinct signature, it's quite hard to predict where exactly this wine will be in another decade. It seems fairly forward, and I expect it to be pretty much fully mature in ten years - so I'll give it an 8.
So score 5-8
Tom
I may be drunk, Miss, but in the morning I shall be sober and you will still be ugly - W.S. Churchill