Portuguese Wine

{'WE': '95'}

A fragrant aroma of well ripened fruit; supple and polished tannins give structure and length on the palate, with a rich sweet flavour and crisp mineral freshness. Herbal and dark fruit notes on the aftertaste. Winemaker Description.

The Wine Enthusiast writes: This delicately perfumed wine opens to reveal power combined with elegance. The wine has great ripeness—a soft texture on the surface masking the severe tannins at the center. 95 Points Wine Enthusiast.

{'WS': '96', 'WE': '98', 'WA': '95', 'D': '98', 'V': '97'}

Wine Enthusiast 98 Points | Cellar Selection This is an exceptional vintage, most unusually the third in a row from this producer. Intensely perfumed, richly structured with dark-black fruits, concentrated tannins, it is set for seriously long-term aging. The power of the wine, based around the producer's Quinta da Vargellas, is magnificent. Drink this major Port from 2029."

Wine Spectator 96 Points | Remarkably harmonious already, with a beautiful display of unadulterated blueberry, blackberry and plum sauce flavors that fan out, while anise, ganache and cassis accents fill in. So lush and seductive through the finish, it’s nearly drinkable.

{'WS': '93', 'WE': '94', 'WA': '94'}

This complex, perfectly balanced port shows rich aromas of dried fruit and vanilla. Agitate the glass and spice aromas of cinnamon and cocoa are liberated. In the mouth, the attack is fresh, fine and delicate. Ripe, dried fruit softly merges with almond and hazelnut, culminating in vanilla flavors which linger gracefully on the palate. Winemaker Description.

The Wine Spectator writes in part: This is alluring, with whiffs of warm date, green tea and walnut backed by juicy fig bread and salted caramel flavors. The racy, focused finish lets a singed juniper note glide through. Drink now. Wine Spectator 93 Points.

{'WS': '93', 'WE': '92', 'WA': '93', 'D': '94', 'W&S': '91'}

Wine Enthusiast 92 Points | At 20 years, aged tawnies bear fruit and concentrated wood flavors, plus dry acidity. This is rich and poised, and it has a fine, full finish. Editors' Choice.

The Wine Spectator writes: Tightly wound, this delivers a wiry, focused beam of dried peach, date, green tea, almond husk and bergamot notes. Long, racy finish has excellent cut. Drink now. Wine Spectator 93 Points.

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Vesuvio is unique amongst Port producers in only making Vintage Port, and a mere 2000 cases of the 1999 was be bottled for release. This represents only 8% of the Quinta’s production in 1999. The 1999 offers plenty of the Quinta de Vesuvio house style of supremely aromatic, full bodied ports. This 1999 vintage will continue to improve over a good 15 to 20 years. Winemaker Description.

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An intense, deeply flavoured Porto Tawny 40 Years Old, with a massive bouquet suggesting vanilla, oak and honey, and a mouthful of very complex flavours of dried fruits, spices, and nuts. As the wine unfolds smoothly and develops in the mouth, one discovers a superb balance of wood ageing and vibrancy. Winemaker Description.

Robert Park writes in part: This rolls around the palate nicely and lingers in that classic old-tawny fashion. There is considerable grip on that flavorful finish. For all of its power and concentration, this 40 is also as lively as any of its younger siblings. 94 Points Robert Parker

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Wine Advocate | Sandeman is one of the biggest and most conspicuous of the port houses, with extensive interests in the sherry business as well. They advertise significantly and their products are well-represented in virtually every American marketplace. The quality is quite good given the quantity of wine produced...The 1985 has less of a deep-ruby/purple color, but it does offer a spice-box, fruitcake sort of aroma, mildly sweet, medium- to full-bodied flavors, and a ripe, tasty finish. Not a heavyweight, this wine represents a lighter style of vintage port.

Wine Spectator| Elegant and balanced, but a little short on concentration. Medium ruby-purple, with a spicy plum nose, medium-bodied, with clean fruit flavors, medium tannins and finish.

{'WA': '90'}

Maçanita’s Douro Branco exemplifies the confluence of richness and elegant minerality that is the hallmark of Douro whites. The indigenous Viosinho provides the backbone to this mineral driven wine, showcasing the slate soil and high altitude plantings that fuel this project.

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The wine has an average age of five years, leading to an inviting, nutty, slightly toasty nose, with flavours of grapefruit, lime, hazelnuts, and orange peel.

The high acidity makes the wine taste dry on the palate, with a smooth, long, and memorable finish. Winemaker Description.

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A cornucopia of aromas greets the nose: cherry, blackberry, plum, and raspberry. In the mouth it is fresh, vibrant and fruity; its attack is much more voluminous than the Tawny's, due to its youthfulness. The finish is persistent and aromatic, leaving the opulent fruit flavors reverberating on the palate. Winemaker Description.