Aside from a very limited experience with Port, my knowledge & exposure to the wines of Portugal is basically zero. Even in the Port department I don’t think I’ve ever tasted anything older than 20 years or so…
In any event, I was lucky to have been invited to a rare tasting of Portuguese wines held here in Buenos Aires, an English Gentleman who resides here decided to open a few of his bottles from “Lusitania”.
Tasting kicked off with 1999 Moet & Chandon Milessime Blanc and Laurent Perrier NV. Both were real treats, as neither is available in Buenos Aires. Both were hand carried from London by out gracious host.
I didn’t take down formal notes, just scribbled a few impressions, and some wines I didn’t rate since I’m not sure I’m familiar with the standards that these wines need to be judged against. One of the things that is particularly difficult about Portugal is the huge amount of indigenous varieties of grapes…. I can’t remember the last time I attended a tasting where there was almost no mention of Cabernet, Merlot, Shiraz and the other usual suspects. Some wines I didn’t rate…. Not because I thought they were no good, but rather because I just didn’t think I knew what I was doing.
To top things off… I was suffering (still am) from a horrible cold and my congested nose made things even more challenging.
Casa de Saima Garrafeira 1997 (Bairrada)
Deep, blood sausage red, not showing its age. I would have guessed a 2000+ vintage judging from eyesight alone. Sweet & inviting nose…. “port like nose” was my first thought. Dry mouthfill… with somewhat of a tart finish. I didn’t really like this wine. Not Rated.
Quinta de Baixo Garrafeira 1996
This wine showed its almost 10 year age… perhaps even looking like a 15 or 20 year old red. Not much of a nose to begin with… then opened up with notes of apple or apple cider (???). Nice mouthfill, medium structure, and good finish. Grade of B/B-.
Niepoort Redoma 1997
Showing as very young to the eye, deep & vivid dark red… I would have never guessed this wine was 10 years old. Port like nose, with again a hint of apples in the background… (??) Mouthfill with quite a bite, sharp around the edges. I didn’t enjoy this wine very much. Not Rated.
Chryseia 2000
Deep, dark & concentrated color…. Looks like a new world red. Notes of game, bacon & maybe a little cigar wrapper. Big mouthfill of black fruits, chewy tannins, with good finish. My guess is that this still needs a little time in the bottle. I enjoyed this one… grade of solid B+ with potential for A-.
Quinta de Macedos 2000
Dark ruby red in color… good shine. Nose of pears that was a little puzzling. Huge mouthfill… powerful yet balanced. The Cabernet style tannic structure and astringency stands out, but is nevertheless well balanced/integrated. Nice wine. Grade of B+.
Quinta do Vale Meao 2000
Dark purple in color, inky… somehow I was reminded of Malbec (!). Notes of flowers, plums & spices invite you to take a big mouthful of this big red. Powerful and intense attack, lost of plums, black cherries that end with a long finish. A serious red, very satisfying. Solid A. I would buy a case or two of this stuff for my personal cellar.
Dado 2000
Deep color… nice to look at but with a disturbing nose of intensely green apples (??) that then turned into damp closet. I thought this may have been corked, but nobody else at the table seemed to notice, so I’m not sure. Not Rated.
Quinta do Mouro 1998
Light red color… plumy nose. Medium bodied, old world style that left me wanting a little more. Not Rated.
Quinta do Monte d’Oiro 2000
Deep dark red… looks like Australian Shiraz. I didn’t find much of a nose… but in the mouth it explodes as a full-bodied red with tons of red fruits & berries. Almost new world in style… finishes nicely with spicy notes. Grade of B.
Dacosta Porto 1957
This Port was re-bottled in the 80s. Color showing its age… almost Tawny like. Nose reminded me more of a Sherry than of a Port… almonds all over the place. Nice, fulfilling mouthful with a nice balance of power & finesse. Were it not for its sweetness, I would have thought of Cognac. Very Nice. Grade of B+.