Search found 140 matches

by John M
17:31 Thu 25 Jun 2020
Forum: Port Conversations
Topic: Cellar Defenders
Replies: 24
Views: 13357

Re: Cellar Defenders

My cellar defenders comprise a mix of different things. Currently, I have about 8 bottles of port which I bought either privately from a house clearance or from shops clearing out old stock where I bought the bottles cheaply but they are ullaged down to or below low shoulder. These need to be drunk...
by John M
14:10 Tue 26 May 2020
Forum: Reviews
Topic: Saturday 5/23 9pmEST Virtual tasting for folks state side
Replies: 3
Views: 6469

Re: Saturday 5/23 9pmEST Virtual tasting for folks state side

1980 Gould Campbell

That was a fun night. Always humbling trying to guess what something is....at least we got a few vintage years correct.
by John M
19:58 Mon 25 May 2020
Forum: Port Tasting Notes
Topic: 1980 Gould Campbell
Replies: 0
Views: 2167

1980 Gould Campbell

From the Stateside virtual tasting May 23, 2020. Decanted 5.5 hours. Deep red to mahongany rim--looks youthful but for the brownish hints. Ample nose. Starts our with a sweet black cherry with an earthy element, mid palate has raspberry jam a finish with a dry finish. Elements of chocolate, more in ...
by John M
19:46 Mon 25 May 2020
Forum: Port Tasting Notes
Topic: 1977 Smith Woodhouse
Replies: 1
Views: 1712

Re: 1977 Smith Woodhouse

I got two magnums of this about 5 years ago and opened one within the year and I had the same maturity issue---came off like a 15 year old, not 40. Other will sit a long time.
by John M
23:15 Mon 04 Mar 2019
Forum: Reviews
Topic: Wed 1 March 2019 - The Eastern seaboard Vesuvio Box tasting
Replies: 5
Views: 9955

Re: Wed 1 March 2019 - The Eastern seaboard Vesuvio Box tasting

The 1975 Kopke Colheita was easily the best wine of the night--just outstanding.
by John M
23:13 Mon 04 Mar 2019
Forum: Port Tasting Notes
Topic: 1975 Kopke Colheita
Replies: 1
Views: 2534

Re: 1975 Kopke Colheita

From a 375 bottle, opened 10 hours before but stoppered most of that.Burnt orange and viscous. Caramelized sugar with a nutty vanilla nose--a robust nose. Layers of flavors here, roasted pralines and creme brulee with just a hint of cooked orange at the end. The finish lingers and morphs to differne...
by John M
23:07 Mon 04 Mar 2019
Forum: Port Tasting Notes
Topic: NV Quinta do Portal White 10YO
Replies: 2
Views: 2981

Re: Portal 10 Yr Old Aged White Port

Pop and pour, faded honey orange color. No real notes but an easy drinker. For $17 for a 375 I would buy again for casual drinking.

90 Points
by John M
23:05 Mon 04 Mar 2019
Forum: Port Tasting Notes
Topic: 1994 Smith Woodhouse
Replies: 2
Views: 3208

Re: 1994 Smith Woodhouse

Pop and pour, not even decanted. Deep brick red-purple. Nose offers a dry dusty rhubarb and plums. Starts out a fruit bomb with dark cherries and plum. Sweet finish yet just a hint of heat.

92 Points
by John M
23:01 Mon 04 Mar 2019
Forum: Port Tasting Notes
Topic: 1997 Quinta do Vesuvio
Replies: 2
Views: 2991

Re: 1997 Vesuvio

Brownish red color with a small orange sherbet rim. Another tight nose. For the youngest of the bunch its aging compares as accelerated. Light strawberry with a long yet uneventful finish. Overall OK. 89 points
by John M
23:00 Mon 04 Mar 2019
Forum: Port Tasting Notes
Topic: 1996 Quinta do Vesuvio
Replies: 2
Views: 2916

Re: 1996 Vesuvio

Slightly faded out wine with a dry tight nose. Moderate to light is weight; it has a candyish yet subtle soft finish. 91 points
by John M
23:00 Mon 04 Mar 2019
Forum: Port Tasting Notes
Topic: 1995 Quinta do Vesuvio
Replies: 2
Views: 2936

Re: 1995 Vesuvio

Another bruiser that is squid ink. Touches of baked dark cherry on the nose. Strawberry and blackberry compote with a candied finish. Quite nice but suffers by following the 1994. 94 points
by John M
22:59 Mon 04 Mar 2019
Forum: Port Tasting Notes
Topic: 1994 Quinta do Vesuvio
Replies: 2
Views: 2902

Re: 1994 Vesuvio

WOTN for me. Broodingly dark and deep red purple. Aromas of mashed grape and dark berries. Violets and aged blackberry with cassis. Finish has a hint o chocolate. Fruit is still very prominent and should be aged a lot longer--but what a great one. 95 points
by John M
22:59 Mon 04 Mar 2019
Forum: Port Tasting Notes
Topic: 1992 Quinta do Vesuvio
Replies: 2
Views: 2982

Re: 1992 Vesuvio

Deep red rose color with barely a clear rim. Noise is sweet with a candyish raisin quality. Super soft and subtle, lovely mouth feel. Hints of strawberry and cooked kumquats with an occasional hint of white pepper. Really in a good sport right now. 94 points
by John M
22:59 Mon 04 Mar 2019
Forum: Port Tasting Notes
Topic: 1991 Quinta do Vesuvio
Replies: 2
Views: 2917

Re: 1991 Vesuvio

Clear rim of faded orange-red. Slightly opaque. Allspice and pepper comes through on nose. A very subtle Port with a lovely soft finish with a candy profile. 92 points
by John M
22:58 Mon 04 Mar 2019
Forum: Port Tasting Notes
Topic: 1990 Quinta do Vesuvio
Replies: 2
Views: 2947

Re: 1990 Vesuvio

Rose to brownish color and a tawnyish nose. Moderate to light weight for a Port, candied almonds and a hint stewy. 91 points
by John M
22:58 Mon 04 Mar 2019
Forum: Port Tasting Notes
Topic: 1989 Quinta do Vesuvio
Replies: 2
Views: 2824

Re: 1989 Vesuvio

Rose petal rim, deeper red rose core. Aroma was tawnyish, a little astringent with a plastic note. Lightly sweet but the wine is polluted by a smokey pine resin quality. We discussed how pressed in whole bunches with grape stems. N/R
by John M
16:25 Mon 04 Mar 2019
Forum: Reviews
Topic: Wed 13 Feb 2019 - The 10th Anniverary Vesuvio Case tasting
Replies: 9
Views: 16553

Re: Wed 13 Feb 2019 - The 10th Anniverary Vesuvio Case tasting

The fact that your 1989 got votes makes me think we had a flawed bottle.
by John M
21:15 Sat 02 Mar 2019
Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
Topic: Quinta do Vesuvio Box Vertical, MAR 1st 2019 NYC
Replies: 7
Views: 8432

Re: Quinta do Vesuvio Box Vertical, MAR 1st 2019 NYC

A very fun night with a few surprises--I've not had many Vesuvios before so welcomed getting to know the house. The 1994, 1992 and 1995 were the stars of the Vertical with the 1989 the clear loser (pine resin flavors in Port not good). I'll let SushiNorth give the official tally. One thing I noted w...
by John M
00:17 Thu 06 Sep 2018
Forum: Selling Port
Topic: 5 V.Ports for Sale N.J.
Replies: 3
Views: 6591

Re: 5 V.Ports for Sale N.J.

Another consideration -- use them as your ticket to our port tastings. You're in NJ, we're in NJ (and NY too...), and tasting's are generally bring-a-bottle. Some are also "adopt" and others may want to pay you to adopt one of those, or split the cost with you. If you are interested, PM m...
by John M
21:56 Mon 16 Oct 2017
Forum: Organising Tastings and Get-togethers
Topic: NY: Jan timeframe placeholder with Chris @ TFP. <edit moved from Oct>
Replies: 14
Views: 13735

Re: NY: October 18-22 timeframe placeholder

Just circling back---plans changed so I might have been able to make. Keep me posted for January!
by John M
18:28 Mon 01 May 2017
Forum: Selling Port
Topic: Single bottle of Niepoort Colheita 1963 for sale
Replies: 3
Views: 5583

Re: Single bottle of Niepoort Colheita 1963 for sale

Where are you located??