1996 Quinta do Vesuvio

[uncle tom]

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

[uncle tom]

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