1997 Quinta do Vesuvio

[Alex Bridgeman]

A distinctly brick-red tone in the colour of the wine, with a wide transparent rim and a centre that is 95% opaque. Delicious on the nose, mixing eucalyptus with star fruit and bruised red plums. Sweet and smooth plum and black cherry fruit on the palate. The luscious fruit is nuanced with some subtle underlying flavours and some good, dry tannins in the centre of this refined and complex port. The combination gives a great balance. There is some heat on the aftertaste before a great panaply of flavours on the finish - lots of dark chocolate and fruit. If a typical bottle, this port is reaching its drinking plateau and will be very enjoyable for a few decades to come. 92/100. Drunk 23-Apr-15.