UK WineclubPortugal
| Table Wines | ||||
| Wine | Tasted | Source | Notes | Mark |
| Castello d'Alba Vinho Branco Reserva 2005 (Duoro) 14% | CLWS 13.2.08 | Philglas & Swigott £8.76 | Pale colour. Aplles and flowers on nose. Some richness and good balance:long finish with some development | 5 |
| Almeida Garrett Touriga Nacional 2005 (Biera Interior) 13.5% | CLWS 19.11.08 | about £10 | Dark colour. Black fruit on nose. Palate shows some greenness and angularity, but good fruit and length. Suspect young vines. | 5 |
| Quinta Ameal Louiero 2007 (Vinho Verde) 11.5% | HASS 16.7.09 | Handford £10 | Pale green. Sharp fruit on nose. Off dry, with fruit and acidity in balance and some finish. | 4 |
| Quinta das Bagieras Reserva 1999 (Bairrada) 12.5% | HASS 16.7.09 | Handford £19 | Maturing red colour. Slighly odd,, oaky nose (bottle stink?). Very ripe fruit, hints of tannin: long, mature, woody finish | 5 |
| Vinhos Borges Duoro Reserva 2003 | WOP 27.3.07 | Alivini (W) £7 | Good fruit, reasonable structure with balanced finish | 5 |
| Q da Chocapalha Reserva Red 2006 (Estremadura) | WOP 10.3.09 | Corney & Barrow £20+ | Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz & Syrah. Baked character with strong tannins. Little development yet. Likely to be rather coarse? | 4+ |
| Q da Chocapalha Reserva White 2007 (Estremadura) | WOP 10.3.09 | Corney & Barrow £18 | Chardonnay + Viosinho & Arinto. Plenty of fruit and weight, but not a very attractive finish | 5- |
| Q da Chocapalha Reserva White 2007 (Estremadura) | WOP 10.3.09 | Corney & Barrow £7 | Arinto, Viosinho, Vital. Coarse, rustic white of little quality | 3 |
| Cortes de Cima Chamine 2006 (Alentejo) 14% | CLWS 23.04.08 | Majestic £7.49 | Aragonez and Syrah. Young colour with pale rim. Soft red fruit and violets. Soft, off-dry palate with acidity under; good length, but rather grassy - young vines? | 4+ |
| Cockburn Tuella 2004 (Duoro) 14% | CLWS 23.04.08 | Majestic £6 | Tinta Roriz etc. Black red with pink edge. Red fruit on nose. Smooth, balanced palate; some length by little development | 4 |
| Quinta de Covela 2007 (Minho) 13.5% | HASS 16.7.09 | Waitrose £8 | Chardonnay + Avesso. Pale colour. Rather vegetal nose. Oily, reasably balanced palate with some length and development | 4 |
| Quinto do Crasto Vinha Maria Teresa 2005 (Duoro) | WOP 27.3.07 | Adnams £45 | Joint venture with J-M Cazes. Very young. Intense fruit and structure: excellent depth and balance | 6 |
| Duque de Viseu 2004 (Dao) 13.5% | CLWS 19.11.08 | Waitrose £6 | Moderate colour. Rather sour nose. Commercial palate | 4- |
| Quinta de Espiga 2005 (Estramadura) 12.5% | CLWS 19.11.08 | Verdcourt Wines £8 | Pale yellow-green. Slight hint of flowers. Rather dull palate, lacks acidity but bitter on end | 4- |
| Herdade de Esporao Private Selection Tinto 2003 (Alentejo) 15% | WOP 10.3.09 | David Baverstock | 40% Syrah, 40% Alicante Bouschet, 20% Aragones. 12-18 months in new French oak barrels.Black, narrow fringe. Slightly tarry with maturing fruit. Green hints on middle palate due to hot year. Oaky complexity on end | 5- |
| Herdade de Esporao Private Selection Tinto 2004 (Alentejo) 14.5% | WOP 10.3.09 | David Baverstock | Dense colour with oak browning. Plum fruit with a mature spicy edge. Ripe, well-balanced palate: long, complex finish. Needs another 5 years | 6 |
| Herdade de Esporao Private Selection Tinto 2005 (Alentejo) 14.5% | WOP 10.3.09 | David Baverstock | Deep purple colour. Fruit and oak on nose. Young , tannic palate with ripe fruit: good length, with vanilla dominating finish. Needs plenty of time. | 5+ |
| Herdade de Esporao Tinto 2004 (Alentejo) | WOP 10.3.09 | David Baverstock | Cooler year. Aragones, Trincadiera, Cabernet Sauvignon. 12 months in US oak, 1/3 new. Good depth of colour, some brown on fringe. Little nose. Good fruit with some maturity and length | 5 |
| Herdade de Esporao Tinto 2005 (Alentejo) | WOP 10.3.09 | David Baverstock | Very hot year. Modest colour. Little nose. Tannins predominate on palate, with some fruit: finish is rather hot. | 4 |
| Herdade de Esporao Tinto 2006 (Alentejo) | WOP 10.3.09 | David Baverstock | Hot year. Deep purple colour. Cooked fruit and oak on nose. Young and very fruity, with strong vanilla character. Fruit continues to long finish. Should improve | 5 |
| Ferrerinha Barca Vehla 1999 (Duoro) 13.5% | IWD 8.12.07 | Handford £82 | Black red, some fringing. Hints of fruit and oak. Concentrated, oak tannins: long and complex, but again astringent and ungenerous. Probaly needs time. | 6- |
| Ferrerinha Callabriga 1999 (Duoro) 13% | CLWS 13.2.08 | Handford £17 | From Q da Leda. Reasonable colour. Fruit and spice on nose. Subtle, well-balanced palate in the old-fashioned woody style: good length and concentration, with complexity developing. | 6- |
| - ditto - | IWD 17.1.09 | Now showing show age on rim. Maturing nose. Balance improved with absorbtion of oak tannins and increase in complexity | 6 | |
| Ferrerinha Callabriga Reserva 2005 (Duoro) | WOP 27.3.07 | Sogrape (W) £15 | Dark colour. Stewed fruit nose. Reasonable depth, but rather over-ripe. | 5 |
| Ferrerinha Esteva Red 2007 (Duoro) | WOP 10.3.09 | Sogrape (W) | Tinta Roriz etc. Straightforward commercial blend | 3+ |
| Ferrerinha Quinta da Leda Red 2005 (Duoro) | WOP 10.3.09 | Sogrape (W) | Touriga Nacional etc. Rather young and rough | 4+ |
| Ferrerinha Vinha Grande Red 2003 (Duoro) | WOP 10.3.09 | Sogrape (W) | Touriga Nacional etc. Good fruit, balance and length. | 5+ |
| J M Fonseca Moscatel de Setubal 2002 17.5% | CLWS 13.08.08 | Lisbon Airport €5.90 | Amber-pink. Marmalade and grapes on nose. Medium sweet, good fruit and acidity: short, hot finish. | 4+ |
| J M Fonseca Periquita White 2006 (Terras do Sado) 12% | CLWS 21.11.07 | Waitrose £5 | Arinto/Moscatel. Medium yellow. Some Muscat on nose. Off-dry palate, clean but simple, with hints of spice. | 4+ |
| J M Fonseca Periquita White 2007 (Terras do Sado) 12% | HASS 16.7.09 | Waitrose £4 | Pale yellow. Muscat nose. Reasonable fruit and acidity: some finish | 4+ |
| Quinta de Fonte Bela Toriga Nacional 2004 (Estramadura) 13.5% | IWD 17.1.09 | Tesco £5 | Fair colour, good commercial red. | 4+ |
| Herdade Grande Red 2006 (Alentejo) | WOP 10.3.09 | Imbibros (W) £12 | Aragones (Tempranillo) etc. Well balanced, but a little thin in middle | 5- |
| Herdade Grande Reserve 2004 (Alentejo) | WOP 10.3.09 | Imbibros (W) £20+ | Same grapes as Red, but much mopre quality and depth of character. Excellent finish | 6 |
| Quinta da Lagoalva de Cima Syrah 2005 (Ribatejano) | WOP 10.3.09 | Clark Foyster (W) | Still rather young, but Syrah fruit beginning to show. Quite plausible but lacks concentration and development | 5- |
| Quinta da Lagoalva de Cima Syrah-Touriga Nacional 2006 (Ribatejano) | WOP 10.3.09 | Clark Foyster (W) | Rather thin but quite well balanced | 5- |
| Lavradores de Feitoia Quinta da Costa 2005 (Duoro) | WOP 27.3.07 | Raymond Reynolds £10 | Good fruity nose. Still rather hard | 5 |
| Lavradores de Feitoria Tres Bagos Grande Escolha 2005 (Duoro) | WOP 27.3.07 | Raymond Reynolds | Good quality but very backward | 5+ |
| Lavadores de Feitoria White 2008 (Duoro) | WOP 10.3.09 | Raymond Reynolds £7 | Malavasia Fino, Gouveio, Gudeja. Some fruit, fully commercial | 4 |
| Niepoort Batuta 2004 (Duoro) 14% | IWD 8.12.07 | Handford £50 | From Quinta do Carril & de Napoles. Deep colour. Rich, spicy nose. Tannins still dominate ripe fruit, and there is astringency through the palate: finish is long and developing. Needs time. | 5+ |
| Niepoort Batuta 2005 (Duoro) | WOP 27.3.07 | Raymond Reynolds £50 | Single quinta with 50-100 year old vines. Solid colour. Rich nose. Depth of fruit and structure, only just starting to develop. Needs lots of time | 6 |
| Niepoort Redoma Reserva 2005 (Duoro) 13% | IWD 8.12.07 | Handford £22.50 | From very old vines including Rabigato, Codega, Donzeliho, Viosinho & Arinto. Pale, slightly green colour. Unusual nose, full of meat, vegetal and mineral aromas. Palate dry, well banaced and complex, with good length | 5+ |
| Quinta de Noval Tinto 2004 (Duoro) 14% | HASS 16.7.09 | Handford £39 | First vintage. Touriga Nacional 70% +T. Cao, T Francesca. Black-red. Dark fruits and cedar on nose. Off-dry, fruity, coming into balance: very long, mouthwatering and complex. | 6+ |
| Filipa Pato Nossa White 2007 (Beiras) | WOP 10.3.09 | Clark Foyster (W) £18 | Bical, Encruzado. Off dry, with a good oily intensity | 5 |
| Filipa Pato Lokal Silex 2006 (Beiras) | WOP 10.3.09 | Clark Foyster (W) £20+ | Touriga Nacional. Good colour and intensity of fruit. Not yet in balance - long but rather raw finish. Needs considerable time. | 5+ |
| Portal Moscatel Reserva 1996 (Duoro) 18% | CLWS 10.09.08 | Lisbon Duty Free €25 | Dark amber. Burnt muscat and alcohol on nose. Madierised palate, moderately sweet with hot finish. Too old? | 5 |
| Prats & Symington Chryseia 2004 (Duoro) 14% | IWD 8.12.07 | Handford £35 | Black red. Backward nose. Rich fruit but lots of tannin on palate: very long with some complexity and fruit throughout. Needs time. | 6- |
| - ditto - | IWD 17.1.09 | Big and still tannic, but very attractive mature finish | 6 | |
| Prats & Symington Chryseia 2005 (Duoro) | WOP 27.3.07 | John Fells £30 | Young looking. New oak and ripe fruit on nose. Oak tannins and excellent fruit on palate: needs time to develop. | 6 |
| Prats & Symington Chryseia 2006 (Duoro) | WOP 10.3.09 | John Fells | Touriga Nacional etc. Very hot year. Impressive start to the palate, but raw green hints in middle. | 5- |
| Prats and Symington Post-Scriptum 2005 (Duoro) | WOP 27.3.07 | John Fells £12 | Vey young colour. Some oak, ripe fruit. Structured palate with reasonable fruit: little development yet. | 5 |
| - ditto - | IWD 8.12.07 | Handford £13 | 70% Touriga Nacional. Good depth of colour. Fruity nose. Palate still structured, with oak tannins: reasonable length but still a bit astringent and undeveloped. | 5 |
| Prats and Symington Post-Scriptum 2007 (Duoro) | WOP 10.3.09 | John Fells £18 | Touriga Franca etc. Good balance and reasonable definition, even at this age. More attarctive than 2006 Cryseia | 5 |
| PV Branco Selection 2008 (Duoro) | WOP 10.3.09 | Castas (W) £12 | Malavasia Fina etc. Quite authentic | 4+ |
| Ramos Pinto Duas Quintas 2003 (Duoro) 13% | CLWS 13.2.08 | Handford £9 | Made with Port grapes from the Evermoire and Bons Aires estates. Quite porty on nose. Black fruit and acidity predominate: modest length, with some coffe on finish | 4+ |
| Ramos Pinto Duas Quintas 2006 (Duoro) | WOP 10.3.09 | Maison Marques et Domaines (W) £9 | Tinta Roriz etc. Fair commercial quality. Nearly ready | 4 |
| Ramos Pinto Duas Quintas Reserva 2005 (Duoro) | WOP 10.3.09 | Maison Marques et Domaines (W) £20+ | Touriga Nacional etc. Very young, full of tannin. Rather coarse finish. Try in a few years | 4+ |
| Real Compania Velha Evel Grande Escolha 2003 (Duoro) | WOP 27.3.07 | Private Liquor Brands (W) £12 | Rtaher hard and tannic; undeveloped palate | 5- |
| Real Compania Velha Grandjo Late Harvest Semillon 2005 (Duoro) 12% | IWD 17.1.09 | Lisbon Airport £14 HB | Some yellow. Orange marmalade on nose. Reasonably sweet with botrytis and balancing acidity, but a bit simple on finish. Too young? | 5+ |
| Real Compania Velha Quinta dos Aciprestes Reserva 2003 (Duoro) | WOP 27.3.07 | Private Liquor Brands (W) £10 | Good rich fruit, still very tannic | 5 |
| Roboredo Carm 2004 (Duoro) 14% | CLWS 19.11.08 | about £12 | Starting to brown on rim. Rich black fruit nose. Ripe fruit over solid tannins: long and rich but a bit astringent and undeveloped. Needs a couple of years. | 5+ |
| Roboredo Carm Reserva 2001 (Duoro) 14% | CLWS 21.11.07 | Tesco £13 | Good colour, some browning. Red fruits on nose. Wood tannins over ripe fruit: very long, with some vegetal and spice development. Still improving. | 6- |
| Roboredo Vinha de Urze NV 14% | CLWS 19.11.08 | Marks & Spencer £8 | Quite yellow. Spicy, oaky nose. Balanced fruit, with some length and intensity, but rather hot on end | 4+ |
| Roboredo Vinha de Urze 2006 | HASS 16.7.07 | Marks & Spencer £7.99 | Dark yellow. Oak on nose. Very acidic, reasonable length but unbalanced | 3+ |
| Roboredo Vinha da Urze NV 14% | CLWS 21.11.07 | Marks & Spencer £8.99 | Some yellowing. Tropical fruits on nose with a hint of oak. Oily with some oak on palate: quite long and complex, with spice on end. Presumably a different batch from the one above | 5 |
| Quinta dos Roques Encruzado 2004 (Dao) 13.5% | CLWS 3.6.09 | Handford £15 | Pale gold. Vegetal, woody nose with some spice. Dry palate with fruit, oil and oak: long ripe finish with spice | 5+ |
| Quinta dos Roques Red 2004 (Dao) 13.5% | CLWS 3.6.09 | Handford £10 | Deep red, pale edge. Some fruit and oak on nose. Very drying tannins, raisiny fruit, high acidity: not much quality or length | 4 |
| Quinta dos Roques Reserva 2003 (Dao) 13.5% | HASS 16.9.09 | Handford £25 | 55% Touriga Nacional + Jaen, Alfrochiero, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Cao. 14 months in oak. Colour shows some oak browning. Some fruit and oak on nose. Ripe fruit under tannins: very good length and concentration. Still developing | 6- |
| Vinha do Romerzal Tinta Roriz 2003 (Duoro) | WOP 27.3.07 | Trentino Wine Distribution €9.58 | Quite fruity on nose, elegant on palate but rather thin on end. | 5- |
| Quinta de Roriz Reserva 2005 (Duoro) | WOP 27.3.07 | John Fells £13 | Workmanlike, not very exciting | 5- |
| Quinta de la Rosa 2005 (Duoro) | WOP 27.3.07 | Fields Morris Verdin £11 | Good depth and balance, but rather astringent, especially on finish | 5 |
| Quinta de la Rosa Reserve 2005 (Duoro) | WOP 27.3.07 | Fields Morris Verdin £20 | rather richer and riper than 'ordinary'. Much better finish | 6 |
| Quinta de la Rosa Reserve 2006 (Duoro) | IWD 17.1.09 | Waitrose £10 | Very young colour and nose. Good balance and length, without much development | 5+ |
| Quinta de la Rosa Vale de Clara White 2007 (Duoro) | WOP 10.3.09 | Fields Morris Verdin (W) £9 | Codega & rabigato. Neutral and unexciting | 3 |
| Casa de Saima Reserva 1999 (Bairrada) 12.5% | CLWS 3.6.09 | Handford £13 | Very dark with a narrow brown rim. Hot, horse manure nose. Oxidisied palate, showing some jammy fruit, acidity and meaty aftertastes. Very individual! | 3 |
| Sainsbury's Taste the Difference Duoro 2004 14% | CLWS 7.3.07 | Sainsbury £7 | Old fashioned, old wood nose. Little fruit, woody tannin; modest finish, undistinguished | 4 |
| Soalhiero Alvaniho 2006 (Vinho Verde) 12.5% | IWD 8.12.07 | Handford £10.75 | Pale. Light Muscat nose. Clean, fresh, good weight and length. Nothing to do with normal Vinho Verde! | 5 |
| Sogrape Q da Azevedo 2006 (Vinho Verde) 11.5% | IWD 17.1.09 | Majestic £6 | Pale, clean, slightly spritig. Commercial | 4+ |
| Sogrape Q dos Carvalhais 2004 (Dao) 13.5% | CLWS 23.04.08 | Majestic £9 | Young, bright colour. Red fruits and oak on nose. Dusty tannins, good fruit; very good length with good concentration and some development. Needs a year or two. | 5+ |
| - ditto - | CLWS 3.6.09 | Deep red, pink edge. Subtle maturing nose. Round and ripe with good balqance: very long with spicy finish. At peak. | 6 | |
| Sogrape Pena de Pato 2005 (Dao) 13.5% | CLWS 3.6.09 | Majestic £7 | Young purple. Warm fruit and spice on nose. Some ripe fruit under tannin and acidity: rather coarse, hot finish | 4 |
| Symington Altano 2005 (Duoro) 13% | CLWS 23.04.08 | Waitrose £5 | Tinta Roriz & Touriga Franca. Bright purple-red. Cooked fruit and flowers on nose. Not quite in balance - cooked fruit, and tannins on top, rather green and stalky on finish | 4- |
| Symington Altano Reserva 2000 (Duoro) | CLWS 22.11.06 | Waitrose £6 | Very dark. Red and black fruit on nose. Ripe fruit under tannic structure: fruit drying out on finish, which is a bit tough and rustic. Drink up | 4+ |
| Symington Altano Reserva 2004 (Duoro) 14% | CLWS 23.04.08 | Waitrose £8 | Touriga Franca & Touriga Nacional. Reasonable colour. Plums and oak on nose. Good fruit and oaky tannins not | |
| Symington Altano Reserva 2005 (Duoro) | WOP 27.3.07 | John Fells £9 | Rather tannic, fruit under. Moderate finish with little development or quality | 4 |
| Quinta do Vale Meao 2005 (Duoro) | WOP 27.3.07 | Raymond Reynolds £34.50 | Deep and dark. Good fruit but rather structured still: long finish but little development. | 6 |
| Quinta do Vallado Reserva 2005 (Duoro) | WOP 27.3.07 | Bibendum £15-17 | Old vines and some new wood. Resonable depth and ripeness: palate has good oak, with rounded fruit under: good finish | 5+ |
| Tagus Creek Grande Vinho 2006 (Ribantejano) | CLWS 19.11.08 | Waitrose £9 | Shiraz & Touriga Nacional. Very dark colour. Black fruit and leather on nose. Intense syrah flavour, with good structure and length | 5+ |
| Tapida de Coelheiros 2006 (Alentejo) | CLWS 23.04.08 | In Portugal €8.50 | 50% Roupiero, 30% Chardonnay, 20% Arinta: oak fermented. Yellow. Oila nd grapefruit aromas. Balanced palate with oak, oil and lemon fruit; good length but needs a little time. | 5- |
| Tesco Finest Touriga Nacional 2004 (Estramadura) 13.5% | CLWS 21.11.07 | Tesco £6.99 | Moderate depth black-purple. Black fruit on nose with a hint of tar and Port. Ripe fruit balanced by tannins: reasonable length, not much development yet. | 5+ |
| Quinta do Vallado Touriga Nacional 2006 (Duoro) 14.5% | HASS 16.7.09 | Waitrose £18 | Youngish black-red. Slighly Porty nose: black fruit. Ripe fruit balanced with tannin: long finish with some development | 6 |
| Quinta de Ventozelo Reserva 2005 (Duoro) | WOP 10.3.09 | Alliance (W) £12 | Touriga Nacional etc. Still rather young and astringent. Fair quality | 5+ |
| Vida Nova 2005 (Algarve) 14.5% | CLWS 21.11.07 | Sainsbury £7.99 | Cliff Richard's estate: Aragonez (Tempranillo)/Syrah. Purple black with fruit hints. Off-dry, green structure, not much finish. Very young vines. | 4- |
| Vida Nova 2005 (Algarve) 14% | HASS 16.7.09 | Waitrose £7.50 | Now made by Mark Baverstock. Syrah + Tempranillo, Alicante Bouschet, Tricandero. Young red colour. Syrah nose. Reasonable fruit and structure, but a little thin in middle | 4+ |
| Wine & Soul Guru White 2007 (Duoro) | WOP 10.3.09 | Corney & Barrow £18 | Gouveio, Viosinho etc. Oak fermented. Rather neutral character, dominated by oak and lacking acidity. Some length but lacks individuality | 4+ |
| Wine & Soul Pintas Red 2006 (Duoro) | WOP 10.3.09 | Corney & Barrow £20+ | 76 yo vineyard with 30+ varieties. Good fruit but very tough tannins at this stage. Certainly not subtle. Needs a long time, but development difficult to guess | 5 |
| Port | ||||
| Wine | Tasted | Source | Notes | Mark |
| Casa Amarela White NV | WOP 10.3.09 | Castas (W) £12 (50cl) | Austere nose. Dry and well balanced with oriental fruits on finish | 5+ |
| Calem Vintage 1977 | HASS 17.10.08 | Pale edge. Little nose. Off-dry, some fruit - quite old and lacks intensity or complexity | 5 | |
| Cockburn Quinta dos Canais 1991 | HASS 6.12.07 | about £20 | Aging colour, rather dull. Nose mostly spirit. Rather astringent and hollow with ripe fruit under- simple and rather old. | 5- |
| Cockburn Vintage 1955 | CLWS 5.12.07 | Pale amber with a pink tinge. Aromatic, complex nose with vegetal hints and spirit. Quite dry and delicate, with good fruit and a long, complex finish | 6 | |
| Cockburn Vintage 1970 | CLWS 5.12.07 | Fully mature colour, fringing amber. Light but complex nose. Smooth, fruity, fairly sweet palate with good length. | 6+ | |
| Cockburn Vintage 1983 | CLWS 5.12.07 | about £40 | Mature colour with considerable browning. Mature, vegetal nose. Tannin dominates moderately sweet fruit: finish is long and quite rich. Will it improve? | 6- |
| Cockburn Vintage 1985 | CLWS 5.12.07 | about £45 | Fading red, considerable browning. Hints of nuts and spirit on nose. Sweet, slightly oily palate, drying on finish and possibly a little hollow, but with nuts and spice on end. | 5+ |
| Cockburn Vintage 1997 | CLWS 5.12.07 | about £20 | Deep colour. Rich nose with some spice showing. Moderately sweet with considerable tannin: modest finish just starting to develop. Still very young. | 5 |
| Croft LBV 2000 | Jas 19.10.07 | Jascots £11 | Spirity nose. Angular, alcohilic palate lacking finesse and depth | 4- |
| Croft Quinta do Roeda 1995 | Jas 19.10.07 | Jascots £17 | Good red colour. Some maturity on nose with alcohol under. Warm and soft, lacks power and development. Alcohol on end. | 4+ |
| Croft Vintage 1960 | HASS 6.12.07 | about £70 | Very brown with a pale fringe. Nose has spiirt, nuts: madeirised. Soft platae, with fruit hints: good length with considerable complexity | 6 |
| Croft Vintage 1991 20.5% | CLWS 4.12.08 | Majestic £25 | Dull, browning colour. Syrup & pepper on nose. Very sweet but little fruit: structure is sour and tannic, fiery on end | 4- |
| Cruz Vintage 1989 19.5% | CLWS 14.11.07 | Morrisons £10.50 | Quite pale colour. Ripe, alcoholic nose. A little astringent on palate - sweet, nutty: simple, rather hot finish | 5- |
| Delaforce Vintage 2003 | WOP 10.3.09 | Private Liquor Brands (W) | Rather thin, lightweight style. Modest quality | 5- |
| Dow Quinta da Bomfim 1996 | CLWS 13.2.08 | Tesco £18.50 | Black red with little fringing. Black fruit and alcohol on nose. Moderately sweet, raisins, nuts and spirit: good length. Needs a little more age. | 6- |
| Dow Vintage 1983 | CLWS 4.12.08 | about £50 | Dull browning red. Mature nose showing spirit. Off dry, quite acidic giving it some freshness: fair development | 6- |
| Dow Vintage 1985 | HASS 6.12.07 | Tesco £45 | Mahogany colour, with a mature, rather varnish, nose. Dryish, rather astringent palate with some complexity, but a little raw on end. | 5 |
| Dow 20 year old Tawny 20% | CLWS 30.1.08 | Waitrose £26 | Amber with pale pink edge. Slightly coarse nose. Almond and raisins on off-dry palate with good acidity: good length and development, but unresolved at end | 5- |
| Ferrerinha Vintage 1995 | WOP 10.3.09 | Sogrape (W) | Rather unexciting, modest sweetness. Ready to drink | 5 |
| Fonseca Guimaraens Vintage 1985 20.5% | HASS 6.12.07 | about £55 | Very dark colour. Warm, backward nose. Seems young and woody on palate: rich, complex finish | 6 |
| Fonseca Guimaraens Vintage 1987 20.5% | CLWS 23.05.08 | about £30 | Moderate colour with amber on fringe. Ripe fruit aromas. Well balanced, with good length and depth, and a complex finish. Near peak? | 6 |
| Gould Cambell Vintage 1977 | CLWS 5.12.07 | about £45 | Dull colour. Some fruit on nose but lacks distictive aromas. Rather sweet and straightforward on palate, with the power of the year showing on finish | 5 |
| Graham's Quinta da Malvedos Centenary 1990 20% | CLWS 5.12.07 | about £30 | Single Quinta Malvedos. Colour fading. Nose has some sppicy complexity. Medium sweet, with acidic structure: nutty, spicy development with spirit on end. Ready | 6 |
| Graham's 20 year old Tawny Port 20% | IWD 8.12.07 | Tesco £22 | Amber-pink. Light fruity nose. Unexpectedly sweet and soft - lacks structure and power. Not typical for the style. | 5- |
| Graham's Vintage 1991 | CLWS 19.11.08 | about £20 HB | Fair depth with some fringing. Light nose. Not very sweet but well balanced: very long and satidfying. Possibly slightly young | 7- |
| Graham's Vintage 1985 | CLWS 4.12.08 | about £55 | Pale colour with brown on the rim. Nose mostly alcohol. Moderately sweet with some tannin and alcohol. Fair length with some development. Might improve | 5+ |
| - ditto - | CLWS 3.6.09 | Better bottle. Red with considerable browning. Rich, mature nose. Moderately sweet, well balanced rich fruit, showing some oxidation. Finish is very long, warm and nutty | 7- | |
| Graham's Vintage 1983 20% | HASS 11.12.08 | about £50 | Dark terracotta. Nutty, spirity nose. Mature palate, with some sweetness and spice - starting to dry oput on finish. Past its peak. | 5 |
| Martinez Vintage 1963 | CLWS 4.12.08 | Pale colour. Mature, spicy and woody nose. Some sweetness, oak tannins and alcohol: starts well but dry and hot on finish. Well past its best | 5+ | |
| Messias Dry White NV | WOP 10.3.09 | Peter Watts (W) | Gold/amber colour. Madierised nose. Despite name, quite sweet and commercial | 4+ |
| Niepoort Fortnum & Mason Colhieta 1991 20% | CLWS 23.05.08 | Fortnum & Mason £35 | Pale pinkish amber. High-toned, nutty nose. Medoium sweet with good balance: slightly hot on finish, and rather simple | 5+ |
| Niepoort Dry White NV 20% | IWD 8.12.07 | Philglas & Swigott £10 | Quite yellow. Nutty, spiritous nose. Off dry, some balancing acidity: fair length | 5- |
| Offley Boa Vista Vintage 1977 | CLWS 4.12.08 | Pale amber. Mature, alcoholic nose. Quite sweet but very hot, and drying out on end | 5 | |
| Quinta do Noval Colheita 1995 | WOP 10.3.09 | Paragon (W) £27 | Good tawny colour. Rounded and nutty, some sweetness and very good length | 5+ |
| Quinta do Noval Nacional 1955 | HASS 11.12.08 | about £1,000 | Pale brown. Light flowery nose. Very old, but subtle and balanced and still holding up. Ghostly remains of quality | 7- |
| Ramos Pinto Vintage 1980 | HASS 6.12.07 | about £35 | Verk dark colour, with a tarry nose. Dry, astringent palate with some fruit under: complex. Possibly too old. | 5+ |
| Symington Vintage 1994 | IWD 20.10.07 | Tesco £11.20 | Good red colour. Fruit nose with alcohol under. Moderately sweet, well balanced palate, with a relative simple finish. Ready | 5 |
| Symington White NV 19% | CLWS 13.2.08 | Tesco £5.30 | Some oxidation: nuts and fruit on nose. Slightly sweet, without much structure or length. | 4+ |
| Taylor Late Bottled Vintage 2002 20% | HASS 11.12.08 | Supermarkets £11 | Black red with a broad pale rim. Fruit and spirit on nose. Not very sweet, structure is moslly alcohol, with little finish | 4- |
| Taylor Quinta da Fieta 1988 | IWD 16.12.06 | Oddbins £25 | Colour shows considerable aging. Alcoholic nose. Reasonable balance, but drying out at end. | 5+ |
| Taylor Quinta de Vargellas 1996 20.5% | IWD 8.12.07 | Tesco £18 | Dark colour. Dark fruits, coffee and spirit on nose. Medium sweet, with ripe fruit and some tannin: good length and development. Coming up to peak. | 6 |
| Taylor Quinta de Vargellas 1998 20.5% | CLWS 21.11.07 | Majestic £22 | Quite red colour. Red fruits, spice and alcohol on nose. A bit dry and thin on palate, with good length but a rather alcoholic finish | 5- |
| Taylor Vintage 1966 | HASS 11.12.08 | about £100 | Paling colour with a broad pink-amber fringe. Not much nose. Mature, fruit and sweetness hints but good balance. Declining gracefully | 6 |
| Taylor Vintage 1970 | CLWS 4.12.08 | Andrew Mead £75 | Pale, slightly dull colour. Fully mature nose, with spice and some alcohol. Moderate sweetness balanced by tannin and acidity: excellent length and development. Near peak. | 6+ |
| Quinta de Ventazedo Vintage 2000 | WOP 10.3.09 | Alliance (W) | Relatively dry, in the elegant style with a good length. Needs a long maturing period | 6- |
| Quinta de Ventazedo Vintage 2003 | WOP 10.3.09 | Alliance (W) | Very rich, good weight, already approachable - for drinking fairly young? | 5+ |
| Quinta de Ventazedo Vintage 2006 | WOP 10.3.09 | Alliance (W) | One year in bottle. Still has lots of tannin, but seems likely to develop in the elegant style (eventually) | 5 |
| Warre's LBV 1999 20% | CLWS 29.11.06 | Tesco £7 | Sweet, but rather thin and lacking structure; some spice on end | 4 |
| Warre's Reserve Tawny 1986 | CLWS 29.11.06 | about £15 | Tan-brown colour. Nuts on nose. Moderate sweetness, reasonable fruit and strucutre, nutty but rather bitter on end | 5 |
| Warre's Unfiltered LBV 1995 20% | CLWS 14.3.07 | about £14 | Solid colour. Rather alcoholic nose. Not too sweet, lacks grip and intensity. Moderate length. | 5- |
| Warre's Vintage 1963 | CLWS 29.11.06 | about £70 | Pale colour. Delicate nose. Sweet fruit on palate: quite long but getting rather hot and bitter on end. Past its best. | 5 |
| Warre's Vintage 1970 'Tercentenary' | CLWS 29.11.06 | about £55 | Woody and spirity on palate - much too old | 4- |
| Warre's Vintage 1977 | CLWS 29.11.06 | about £60 | Quite pale tan-red. Mature, slightly flowery nose. Structure dominates fruit, but there is a long, complex finish. Needs drinking soon. | 6- |
| - ditto - | ONS 11.12.07 | Moderate colour with some browning. Light nose with fruit and spice. Well balanced, good weight and length with considerable development | 6+ | |
| Warre's Vintage 1980 | CLWS 29.11.06 | about £45 | Quite strong colour and nose. Well integrated palate, with complex finish, with a warm end. Ready | 6- |
| - ditto - | CLWS 5.12.07 | Andrew Mead £32 | Maturing colour. Nose has considerable wood and nuts. This bottle still rather hard and tannic with some fruit under: good length and still rather astringent | 6- |
| - ditto - | HASS 11.12.08 | paling brown, mature nose. Good wine - moderately sweet with good balance and length. Has just about reached its peak. | 6 | |
| Warre's Vintage 1983 | CLWS 29.11.06 | about £40 | Modest colour with a broad pale rim. Backward, mature nose. Reasonable balance on palate,: moderate length but not very generous | 5 |
| Warre's Vintage 1985 | CLWS 29.11.06 | about £35 | Pale brown, little nose. Artificial sweetness, astringnet. Marked as faulty | 1 |
| - ditto - | IWD 8.12.07 | Majestic £35 | Medium red. Mature, spicy nose. Soft and quite sweet, with good length and complex development, but drying out at end. Drink soon. | 6- |
| Warre's Vintage 1994 20% | CLWS 29.11.06 | about £40 | Reasoonable fruit, starting to close up. Palate not yet integrated. Very good but needs a lot of time. | 6 |
| Warre's Warrior Special Reserve NV 20% | HASS 6.1.2.07 | Morrisons £9 | Dullish colour. Light, spirity nose. Sweet, well balanced palate: mosdest length with a spicy tang. | 5 |
| Madiera | ||||
| Wine | Tasted | Source | Notes | Mark |
| Barbieto Tinto Nera Mole Colheita 1997 19% | IWD 20.09.08 | Berry Brothers £16.00 50cl | Amber colour. Nuts and oil on nose. Moderately sweet, slightly tannic with plenty of acidity: quite a long finish, with red wine hints on end | 5+ |
| Blandy's Malmsey Colheita 1999 19% | CLWS 23.04.08 | Waitrose £14 | Dark amber colour. Nutty nose. Quite swet with high acidity and caramel notes; long but quite warm on finish | 5+ |
| D'Olivera Boal Vintage 1958 19% | LIWF 23.05.08 | Bovey Wines about £90 | Bright amber. Figs and other dried fruits, nuts and smoke on nose. Rich, medium sweet palate with balancing acidty and huge length | 7 |
| D'Olivera Sercial Vintage 1969 | WOP 10.3.09 | Bovey Wines about £50 | Rich, fruity and fully mature | 6+ |
| D'Olivera Boal Vintage 1989 | WOP 10.3.09 | Bovey Wines about £50 | Still young, with fruit attack | 6 |