Nose: YUM! brandied plums, cedar, wet tobacco and cinnamon.
Palate: exceptionally smooth and silky like honeyed vanilla cream. Youngish strawberry essence still detectable.
Finish: lingering as expected with small crescendo of feel at the very back of the palate after it is gone.
The look of this fortified wine is amazing; nearly black in its core. It is not overwhelmingly fortified and not overly fruity but has more subtle characteristics. For a (relatively) inexpensive port this is simply wonderful. I received this as a gift for my birthday (back in January) and decided just this evening to open and decant the wine. I've not had a Port in some time and I simply enjoy these wines. As this was the only bottle of Port in my cellar it was elected by default. I'm glad I opened it. This is quite a treat.
The luxuriously deep dark look of the wine promises layers of flavor and character before it even reaches my nose. The smell is delightful. The brandied tang is present as I take a deep smell and savor the scents. But it is not walloping my nose with a "hard liquor burn". It caresses, teases, and subtly enhances the aroma of the wine within. The balance is expert and the experience is a delightfully flavorful smoothness that is enjoyable all the way down. As I finish a swallow there is a "palate memory" that re-experiences the warmth and berry and cinnamon flavors that were just moments before playing in my mouth.
A great value. A fine sipping and contemplative wine.
Raise a Glass!
