ThePortForum.com

The 2017s were tasted on Tuesday 25th June 2019, at The Boot & Flogger.

Many thanks to the many shippers who sent bottles, and to Alex for organising.

Links:

• Review of the event as a whole;
• The 2017s:
  • Bulas 2017;
  • Burmester 2017;
  • Churchill 2017;
  • Churchill Quinta da Gricha 2017;
  • Cockburn 2017;
  • Quinta do Crasto 2017;
  • Croft 2017;
  • Croft Quinta da Roêda Sērikos 2017;
  • Dalva 2017;
  • Dow 2017;
  • Fonseca 2017;
  • Graham 2017;
  • Graham The Stone Terraces 2017;
  • Quinta do Javali 2017;
  • Kopke 2017;
  • Quinta das Lamelas 2017;
  • Martha 2017;
  • Maynard 2017;
  • Maynard Organic 2017;
  • Niepoort 2017;
  • Quinta do Noval 2017;
  • Quinta do Noval Nacional 2017;
  • Pintas 2017;
  • Poças 2017;
  • Portal 2017;
  • Portal Muros 2017;
  • Quevedo 2017;
  • Ramos Pinto 2017;
  • Ramos Pinto Quinta de Ervamoira 2017;
  • Quinta da Romaneira 2017;
  • La Rosa 2017;
  • Quinta da Sequeira 2017;
  • Skeffington 2017;
  • Taylor 2017;
  • Taylor Vargellas Vinha Velha 2017;
  • Quinta do Vale Meão 2017;
  • Quinta do Vallado 2017;
  • Quinta do Vallado Adelaide 2017;
  • Quinta do Vesuvio 2017;
  • Capela da Quinta do Vesuvio 2017;
  • Vieira de Sousa 2017;
  • Warre 2017;
• Sticky labels and TN pages (which caused some additions to the list of Port House abbreviations).
• Planing and arrangements.

A3: Some more obvious spirit with citrus notes on nose but still with good dense fruit in evidence although this has a harder edge. Firm, quite drying tannic palate. Needs to develop more to show well but could be a promising longer term prospect. (Niepoort)

Redcurrants and strawberries, the mouth is dominated by the grippy tannins. Not overly impressed as it's fairly closed right now, when it opens up it might be excellent. Ok

(tasted sighted) According to Dirk Niepoort this is the greatest vintage he has produced. This is my second tasting (the first was at Dirk’s in May). The Niepoort is a dark purple wine with an expressive nose of blackcurrant, pepper with a note of mint. Powerful and brooding on the palate, intense flavours, tannins and a long finish. Built for the future but slightly backward today. 96

The nose shows floral aromatics, with blossom, black cherry, chocolate and hints of spice. This is packed with fruit on the palate with blackberry, cherries and raspberries. I found the tannins evident and grippy without being offensive but supporting the wine's longevity. The finish is long with the fruit following all the way through. 18/20

Tasted blind. Deep red in colour with a narrow rim. Showing a limited amount of sweet fruit on the nose. On the palate this has a lovely texture, full of silky poised sour cherry fruit. Lots of tannins give firm grip but the fruit is a little light compared to the tannins. A good chewy fruit finish. This is an interesting Port which I'd like to try again. Full of fruit, tannins and acidity I anticipate that this will evolve to be an extremely elegant and spiced mature Port. 87-89/100?