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$9.95
At one time the Moscatel (Muscat) wines of Setabul were rightly counted and priced with the world’s greatest dessert wines. Rather mysteriously they fell out of favor after the Second Read More...
World War, so today even the best examples like this nectar from Bacalhoa remain woefully under priced. Bacalhoa first came to our attention in the fall of 2011 when their 2004 vintage won the International Trophy for the best sweet fortified wine under 10 pounds at Decanter Magazine’s annual World Wine Awards competition. This past fall this 2007 vintage took home a second trophy. Not surprisingly we started getting calls from people clamoring for the wine, but we didn’t have a source for it until now.
Setubal is a small peninsula located just south of Lisbon. The region is famed for its delicious caldeiradas (fish stews) as well for its scenic Arrabida Hills where the best Muscat de Alexandria vines are planted. In Setubal, much as with the Ports of the Douro, the fermentation of sweet Muscat grapes is arrested after a short time by the addition of a small dose of brandy. The wine is then kept in contact with the grape skins for six months to accentuate its floral aromatics and flavor intensity. This colheita was then aged in small oak barrels for nearly four years in a warm corrugated steel-roofed warehouse to caramelize the sugars and to further concentrate its flavors through evaporation. The result is a complex, hedonistic, and cerebral taste experience that would be a steal at twice our price!
Decanter Magazine’s judging panel gave this wine its top 5 Star rating with these gushing notes: “Wildly perfumed with a peachy, floral, apple confit, cinnamon and nutmeg nose. Beautiful nutty flavors of pink grapefruit, Marmalade and caramel mingling with honey and figs, fresh apricots, raisins and oranges. Bold and opulent.”
Setubal is a small peninsula located just south of Lisbon. The region is famed for its delicious caldeiradas (fish stews) as well for its scenic Arrabida Hills where the best Muscat de Alexandria vines are planted. In Setubal, much as with the Ports of the Douro, the fermentation of sweet Muscat grapes is arrested after a short time by the addition of a small dose of brandy. The wine is then kept in contact with the grape skins for six months to accentuate its floral aromatics and flavor intensity. This colheita was then aged in small oak barrels for nearly four years in a warm corrugated steel-roofed warehouse to caramelize the sugars and to further concentrate its flavors through evaporation. The result is a complex, hedonistic, and cerebral taste experience that would be a steal at twice our price!
Decanter Magazine’s judging panel gave this wine its top 5 Star rating with these gushing notes: “Wildly perfumed with a peachy, floral, apple confit, cinnamon and nutmeg nose. Beautiful nutty flavors of pink grapefruit, Marmalade and caramel mingling with honey and figs, fresh apricots, raisins and oranges. Bold and opulent.”
$59.99
Prats & Symington 2004 Chrysela Only 200 cases available for the U.S.Very forward, intense smooth liqueur-like dark fruits on the nose, with a distinctive blackberry jam character. Read More...
The palate is ripe and vivid with some spiciness and a bit of roasted oak in the backgroud. Nicely structured. A very modern-styled wine, but tasty with it.
$149.98
WINE SPECTATOR 97 POINTS-"-A big, tough Port for long-term aging. It underlines what people mean when they say a great young vintage Port should overpower one'Read More...
s plate with fruit and tannin. Inky color, with perfumed cherry and berry aromas, full-bodied, with tons of tannins, intense cherry and berry flavors and a lingering finish...Web 1989."
$72.98
WINE SPECTATOR 95 POINTS - "Redolent of blackberry and dark fruits, this also features a fascinating mix of mocha, graphite and tobacco flavors. Very Read More...
juicy as well, which figures into the finish of fine-grained tannins and spice. An exuberant and refined Vintage Port. Best from 2020 through 2050. 5,000 cases made."
$89.98
Single vineyard with an average age of 80 years. Aged in 100% French oal for 21 months. Primary varietals are Rufete Turiga, Tinta Amarilla, Turiga Franca and Turiga Nacional (Read More...
very special old vines).
The 2007 “CV” (the initials stand for “Curriculum Vitae”) (Quinta Vale D. Maria) is another blockbuster, full in the mouth, round, with a gorgeous, lingering finish. In its youth, it has a touch of oak and licorice noticeable. Its attack is subtle at first, and then it increases in intensity to the point where it is rather focused and penetrating. It is structured and remarkably flavorful, with lovely red berry notes on the finish. Yet, I think it is also better balanced than the 2003. It is equally delicious. To me, this looks like a big winner. It adds another layer or so of fruit to the regular “tinto.” There were approximately 416 cases made. Drink 2009-2019.
The 2007 “CV” (the initials stand for “Curriculum Vitae”) (Quinta Vale D. Maria) is another blockbuster, full in the mouth, round, with a gorgeous, lingering finish. In its youth, it has a touch of oak and licorice noticeable. Its attack is subtle at first, and then it increases in intensity to the point where it is rather focused and penetrating. It is structured and remarkably flavorful, with lovely red berry notes on the finish. Yet, I think it is also better balanced than the 2003. It is equally delicious. To me, this looks like a big winner. It adds another layer or so of fruit to the regular “tinto.” There were approximately 416 cases made. Drink 2009-2019.
$28.98
WINE SPECTATOR 90 POINTS -
"Medium-bodied, with a fresh allure to the flavors of baked apricot, dried mango and cherry tart. This is long and delicate Read More...
on the spice-filled finish. Drink now. 10,000 cases made."
$47.98
WINE SPECTATOR 90 POINTS -
"Delicate, with a lively array of bright dried mango, date and dried apricot flavors that feature plenty of smoky notes. Read More...
Features white chocolate, fruitcake and honey notes on the rich finish. Drink now. 5,000 cases made."
$89.98
One the great values from this outstanding vintage. Chris Kissack writes - "A great color, and a gentle nose of maturity. An elegantly composed palate although it still Read More...
shows quite a little extract, tannin and even a little spirit. Nevertheless it has a very admirable structure, and a supple style that makes it easy to drink now if one appreciates impact and substance in Port. But it should be good for a few years yet, and will evolve but not change much in terms of the pleasure it gives I think. 18+/20 Points. -November 2007. Sourced straight from the producer."
$79.99
As all savvy Port aficionados know, ’94 ranks as one of the very best Port years of the 20th Century. When this Dow was first released in October of 1996 Robert Parker gave it 96 Points.
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font color="blue">ROBERT PARKER 96 POINTS - "The massive 1994 is unquestionably the finest Dow I have tasted since the 1977. This opaque purple-colored wine is not as developed or flamboyant as Fonseca, but it is super-concentrated and multi-layered, with huge masses of fruit and some tannin in the finish. This is a slightly drier style than Fonseca or Graham's, but it appears to be a classic, majestic, enormously constituted 1994 that should age effortlessly for three decades or more. It is one of the stars of the vintage. Anticipated maturity: 2004-2030."
$8.95
First off, this is NOT a Port wine. That said, it is from the Dow family tree (Symington Family Estates), who are more than famous for their Port, and from the Douro region, Read More...
again famed in the world of Port wines. This is a dry red wine made from traditonal Port wine grapes: 55% Tinta Barroca, 22% Tinta Roriz (Tempranillo), 17% old mixed vines, 3% Touriga Nacional and 3% Touriga Franca. While famed for the fortified wines, just about as many non-fortified table wines (usually called Douro wines) are produced annually. And, as we find incredible quality at all ranges, styles and prices in the world of fortified wines, this Vale Do Bomfim 2008 is clear evidence that their table wines retain both the quality and worth found in their cousins: this is great juice!
Not sure what these grapes will taste like? Well, it noses like a Malbec with rich spice, graphite, pencil shavings and gobs of dark fruit, plums and a touch of strawberry tea. The palate is a nice mix between the fruit and spice of a Rhône with the body and structure of a decent-sized Cab. Bright mixed red fruits, chewy spice, black pepper, earth and plum finish with a brace of very good acidity. Barbecued meats, fatty cheeses, maybe a grand aïoli fête-- pair with richness and be rewarded!
Not sure what these grapes will taste like? Well, it noses like a Malbec with rich spice, graphite, pencil shavings and gobs of dark fruit, plums and a touch of strawberry tea. The palate is a nice mix between the fruit and spice of a Rhône with the body and structure of a decent-sized Cab. Bright mixed red fruits, chewy spice, black pepper, earth and plum finish with a brace of very good acidity. Barbecued meats, fatty cheeses, maybe a grand aïoli fête-- pair with richness and be rewarded!
$24.98
WINE SPECTATOR INSIDER 91 POINTS -
"This Port is filled to the brim with rich, dried fruit and spiceflavors, including apricot and mango, along Read More...
with vibrant whitechocolate and hazelnut notes. The finish is sumptuous. Drink now."
$54.98
WINE SPECTATOR 92 POINTS -
"Rich, smooth and polished, with an array of dried apricot, pearand guava notes that are accented by plenty of apple Read More...
woodsmoke notes. The lush finish surges with mineral, along with hintsof peat and ginger cream. Drink now."
$44.99
ROBERT PARKER 96+
- "Sporting an opaque, black-colored robe with dark purple trim, the 2003 Fonseca Vintage Port exhibits a nose of profound depth. Read More...
Its sweet black mass of dark fruit and spice aromas leads to a character of immense depth, richness, and weight. Full-bodied, viscous, and almost impenetrable, this dense, backward port is powerful and exceptionally long in the finish. Possibly the most masculine Fonseca I’ve ever encountered, it coats the taster’s palate with licorice, jammy black fruits, and notes of chocolate that last for over a minute. This blockbuster will require at least three decades to fully blossom. Anticipated maturity: 2035–2060."
$82.99
WINE SPECTATOR 94 POINTS - "A subtle yet powerful young Vintage Port, with freshly sliced plum, citrus and mulberry on the nose. Full-bodied and medium sweet, Read More...
with a solid core of powerful tannins and a long, balanced finish. So tight and reserved. Muscularly structured. Best after 2017."
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