1998 Quinta do Vesuvio

[Alex Bridgeman]

Lighter in colour than the 1998 Senhora da Ribiera shown alongside this wine, starting to move towards a transparent centre. A distinctive Vesuvio nose of blueberries with a streak of lavender mixed in. Sweet and fruity in the mouth and it stays that way until the tannins start to peep through the wall of fruit, but they are never allowed to dominate. Needs much more time (20 years?) but will rise to greatness. Finishes with a big aftertaste - which comes back for a second wave of flavour when you thought it had finished! A big wine. (Charles Symington said that this bottle was showing particularly well.) 93/100. Drunk 27/11/08 after 1 hour decanting.