Saturday, February 21, 2015

Cold Winter's Night

1997 Quinta do Vesuvio

Wow. Been a while since I cracked a bottle of Vintage Port, but with 4-5 inches of freshie on the ground, a fire going on the hearth and a recorded bout with the Pittsburgh Penguins duking it out with the St. Louis Blues on the tube the time was ripe. Deep dark ruby purple, but not the "switched on" hue of youth - almost opaque, a deep pool of liquid color. Aromatic and expressive right out out of the gate. Ripe, warm, voluptuous and opulent. Roasted dark cherry, espresso, torrefaction. Little spirity, and closer to youthful than mature secondary - Adolescent, energetic. On the palate it is brilliant, sweet, viscous, little heat in the middle and finish is the only negative. Plush, ripe and explosive. Caramel, hints of coffee and spice and pureed cooked cherries in liquer. Layered. Another ten years and it will most likely enter a long period of truly delicious drinking. But if you opened it tonight you wouldn't be unhappy. Pass it to the left, Cheers!