ThePortForum.com

Thanks for this Michael, very useful information.

I have moved this to Port Conversations as it is not a Tasting Note.

A [url=http://www.port-blog.com/portblog/2007/11/vintage-port-20.html#comments]random port blog[/url] wrote:QUINTA DO CRASTO Vintage Port 2004 - 93
QUINTA DO NOVAL Vintage Port 2004 - 92
TAYLOR FLADGATE Vintage Port Quinta de Vargellas Vinha Velha 2004 - 92
WARRE Vintage Port Quinta da Cavadinha 2004 - 92
CHURCHILL Vintage Port Quinta da Gricha 2004 - 91
TAYLOR FLADGATE Vintage Port Quinta de Vargellas 2004 - 91
FONSECA Vintage Port Guimaraens 2004 - 90
FONSECA Vintage Port Quinta do Panascal 2004 - 90
QUINTA DO VESUVIO Vintage Port 2004 - 90
KOPKE Vintage Port Quinta São Luiz 2004 - 89
QUINTA DE RORIZ Vintage Port 2004 - 89
COCKBURN Vintage Port Quinta dos Canais 2004 - 88
CROFT Vintage Port Quinta da Roêda 2004 - 88
GRAHAM Vintage Port Malvedos 2004 - 88
QUINTA DA ROMANEIRA Vintage Port 2004 - 88
QUINTA DE LA ROSA Vintage Port 2004 - 88

Quinta do Crasto has never crossed my lips: is it early-maturing (so fooling the tasters) or is it a gem that I have overlooked?

Crasto has been making some really good stuff in the past 8 or so years. I've had some older VP's, LBV's, and colheita's from them that have been remarkable. This is a producer to watch, as their Ports should only continue to get better and more well known.

I've only tasted Crasto 2000 and 2005. I've never bought any because they are not my type of VP. They are enjoyable in youth but this is clearly a type of VP made to be drank young, as they Americans like it. Full of fruit, fat and juicy but with no acidity nor tannins to give a backbone to age.

Fred,

I'll be a bit blunt, sorry....how wrong you are there. I've had some older Crasto stuff, and I must say they are very very good. The 1970 Colheita was stunning!

Considering their dry wines have been their staple since the late 1990's, and their Ports were always sold to other companies and not much was put out for sale under the Crasto label..nor much effort put forth as a result. This is changing and I can bet you in 5-10 years time, their VP's will rival or beat the best there is.

Just for info, the old Constantino ports were from Crasto grapes. I've had a 1927 Constantino Colheita that was awsome! And an old Crasto LBV (late 80's, early 90's) that was one of the best unfiltered LBV's I've ever had...it was better than some VP's from that time

I haven't tasted the '04 Crasto VP, but did taste several others and although I quite like them, I must agree with Fred that they are made in a fruity, drink young style. The LBV is one of my favorites, and in its sort probably better than the VP.

BTW, I'm very much interested in tasting the '04. I will look for it in stores and report back as soon as I've found it.

I'm not at home, but when I do, I'll dig up my TN's on the 04 and 05

Mayson is quite enthusiastic about Crasto - I have some '97, but have yet to broach a bottle.

Might be a quinta to target when we get round to organising the first TPF tour of the Douro..

.. late March looks good to me - good time to meet with the producers when they are not stressed, weather is OK, and tourist trade is slack.

- Is this worth a new thread?

Tom

Here are some thoughts on Crasto. I've had the 03 a couple of times now and its a big one that needs plenty of cellar time. The '99 is by no means a mid-term ager, 2000 I'd give more of a mid to early-longtime ager. 04 is a monster and I've had this a couple times in the past year with consistant notes. The 05 was just bottled and showing the effects of shock still. 70 colheita is just f***'n awsome. The 94 rocks and is still way young. The 95 LBV from 1/2 bottle was another of my favorite LBV's that has plenty of life ahead of it. I've had another earlier LBV than the 95, and it was even better!

I would only agree that the 2000 is a touch soft at the moment, but still a very good VP. But then again, it could be just closed up right now. Almost all the 2000's and some 1997's I've had recently were starting to shut down, had already shut down, or barily coming out of it.

But to say all Crasto's are soft and made to drink young is inaccurate. They make some great Ports there that are in no means soft or made to drink young. I also should add that several of the above wines were served to me blind and scored without knowing what they were till after my notes were done.

Mason is spot on and this is a place to watch in the future...I'll place a wager on that

Righty-ho. Clear consensus from the expert at TPF: I had better attempt to acquire some cases at auction.

Tom,

Yes! Usual worries over money and family holidays coming 1st, but well worth exploring!

Andy,

To go alongside my Martinez85 and Mr Vesuvio, it sounds like we've found your Passion Spot!

Julian,

It does sound like we all better give it a go.

Alan

http://www.infoportwine.com/

This article mentions a scoring of 94 for the Vargellas 2004 in "Wine & Spirit".

Intersting that also "Wine & Spirit" does not rate Vargellas Vargellas Vina Velha 2004 better than the Vargellas 2004.