2003 Quinta das Aranhas

[Alex Bridgeman]

Based at Quinta das Aranhas, at Ervedosa do Douro near to Sao Joao da Pesqueira. Offered at EUR 18.67 ex-cellars. Deep red and opaque. Bottle stink on the nose, subtly hinting of fruit but very restrained. Soft entry, the fruit reluctant to show at first but this gently works through the astringent tannins. Interesting palate - not well balanced but not surprising for a 2003 vintage. This has an interesting bitter-sweet quince on the palate, but this gives way to a sweet strawberry aftertaste and a bitter fruit length. An interesting and attractive port, despite being in a closed phase. 86/100. Drunk 03-Jun-14.