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P'n'P to go with some unexpected Petits Pots au Chocolat facon Gary Rhodes (RIP).

Violet and prunes on the nose. Garrigue, later.

Red cherries, then quickly black cherries, slowly darkening to blacker and more tannic fruit (an opal plum note especially: the cook-before-eating or preserve-before-eating purple-skinned damson plum range; Carlsbad plums are a teenage dessert memory) and chocolate, on the palate.

+ 24 hours

A bit more rubber with the prunes on the nose. That splendid wash of cool red then blue then purple fruit over the tonsils. A bit more cinnamon and star anise on the finish.

I love this port. Might be my favourite modern port for current drinking.

winesecretary wrote: ↑21:50 Wed 12 May 2021
I love this port. Might be my favourite modern port for current drinking.

Holy cow! Need to check my notes but I don’t remember enjoying a Vesuvio prior to 94. If I happen to have one I’ll give it a crack when next in ny. If not I’ll raid ahb man cave when next in whatever that towns called

“1992 Quinta do Vesuvio
Post 19:34 Tue 02 Mar 2010

Denser than all previous efforts. I got an almost meaty component on the nose (ground beef, anyone?) which was unexpected an interesting. This seemed better integrated than the 91, and while there is a clear spirit component in this one as well, the fruit and structure do a better job of containing it. Still not a 'wow' wine by any means, but solid enough for casual consumption

84 pts”

Damn son, 11 years gone in a mfin blink

winesecretary wrote: ↑21:50 Wed 12 May 2021 I love this port. Might be my favourite modern port for current drinking.

I agree - it's a fantastic Port. It might be my 2nd favorite Vesuvio behind only the 1994. And they're usually pretty inexpensive when you can find them.

Glenn E. wrote: ↑00:57 Thu 13 May 2021

winesecretary wrote: ↑21:50 Wed 12 May 2021 I love this port. Might be my favourite modern port for current drinking.

I agree - it's a fantastic Port. It might be my 2nd favorite Vesuvio behind only the 1994. And they're usually pretty inexpensive when you can find them.

Less impressed here (to date). '94 top, then '97 for me, both regularly and substantially ahead of the rest of the field for <2005 Vesuvios (only choosing that cut-off as the rest are still far too young for me; '07 could be excellent or go nowhere TBD, for example).

I am guilty of drafting unclearly. I do think the 1994 is a better wine. But, not for current drinking. I am slightly less convinced by the 1997 but I have only had it once. Perhaps there should be a '1997s at 25' tasting towards the end of next year...