1997 Barros

Tasting notes for individual Ports, with an index sorted by vintage and alphabetically.
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Tasting notes for individual Ports, with an index sorted by vintage and alphabetically.
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winesecretary
Fonseca 1980
Posts: 1907
Joined: 15:35 Mon 13 May 2019

1997 Barros

Post by winesecretary »

This is VP not Colheita. Decanted 1 hr.

60% opaque, slightly browning at the rim.

Slightly reduced nose, would perhaps benefit from longer decant. But, a nice prune note among the raspberries.

Quite high toned on the palate but not bothersomely so, classical cherry stone with a flicker of Seville orange towards the end. Fairly long, and distinctly mouthwatering, finish.

+ 24 hours

It has darkened a little, 75% opaque. The prune note has become pruneaux fourre on the nose and now carries through rather deliciously onto the palate. Cherry and cocoa nibs on the warming finish. Still high-toned, but not oppressively so.

In truth I did not have particularly high expectations; but I am agreeably surprised. While it will never be a 'great' wine this is good port, certainly up to the standards of the SQVPs from the likes of Fonseca of the same era.

A decade ago AHB suggested it needed another five or ten years to come round, and he was quite right. Drink now, I think, and over the next five years, although I suspect it will survive a decade or so.
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