Tasting note: Memorable amber-orange colour. Aromas of burnt coffee, toffee, chocolate and dried fruit gently waft on the nose. Sweet with a good tangy acidity. Beautiful balance. Medium-bodied with great length on the finish. (Vintages panel, March 7, 2006)
Port
GOULD CAMPBELL VINTAGE PORT 1985
Douro
360271 (S) 750 mL $ 69
Tasting note: My experience with this house is limited. One rarely sees this brand stateside. The 1985 is one of the surprises of the vintage. It has an intense nose of chocolate, berry fruit, and tar. On the palate, the wine is concentrated, powerful, and full-bodied with layers of fruit. It finishes sweeter than some of the other ports with a great deal of tannin. Score - 89.(Robert Parker Jr., www.erobertparker.com, 1989)
QUINTA DO NOVAL VINTAGE PORT 2004
Douro
35832 (S) 750 mL $ 89
Tasting note: Exceptionally deep blackish crimson. Lovely scented youthful nose – almost more claret than port. Very floral – reminiscent of a Touriga Nacional table wine almost. Very fine tannins – so fine you can hardly taste them. Fine boned, angular almost, a sort of aesthete in a suit and panama hat. Not big and plummy at all but an entirely valid style of port. This is lovely…Drink 2009-2023. Score - 18 (out of 20). (Jancis Robinson, www.jancisrobinson.com, Dec. 19, 2006)
QUINTA DO VESUVIO VINTAGE PORT 2004
Douro
33761 (S) 750 mL $ 69
After some unsettled weather in early September, a patch of near perfect conditions occurred just at the moment of harvest. As a result, the grapes for most producers came off in almost perfect condition, allowing for the 2004 to be declared by most producers. The early word on these wines are exceptional.
Tasting note: This single-vintage Port is always superb. (James Suckling, www.winespectator.com, April 30, 2006)
SMITH WOODHOUSE VINTAGE PORT 1994
Douro
156885 (S) 750 mL $ 79
Tasting note: An under-rated producer, Smith-Woodhouse has turned out a port with an impressively saturated dark ruby/purple color. This powerful port is moderately sweet, forward, rich, and full-bodied, with nicely integrated alcohol and tannin. While it is not one of the vintage's blockbusters, it should be ready to drink in 3-5 years and keep for 15-20. Anticipated maturity: 1999-2018. Score - 90.(Robert Parker Jr., www.erobertparker.com, Oct. 1996)
Sherry
WILLIAMS & HUMBERT DON GUIDO SOLERA ESPECIAL PEDRO XIMINEZ 20-YEAR-OLD
19679 (S) 750 mL $ 29
A Silver Medal winner at the prestigious International Wine Challenge (2004).
Tasting note: Figs and dates, walnuts and almonds, candied oranges and lemon zest elements all vie for attention. A luscious, intense, aristocratic PX. (Judging panel, International Wine Challenge, May 2004)
WILLIAMS & HUMBERT JALIFA RARE OLD DRY AMONTILLADO SOLERA ESPECIAL 30-YEAR-OLD
19687 (MD) 750 mL $ 39
A Silver Medal winner in 2004 at the prestigious International Wine Challenge, the world's largest blind tasting.
Tasting note: Intense aromas of chalk, cloves and crushed white peppercorns. Big yet balanced, with excellent viscosity and a warm nutty crispness. (Judging panel, International Wine Challenge, May 2004)
