Quinta de Covela Reserva Branco 2013
Kissed with honeysuckle and orange blossom, Quinta de Covela’s 2013 Reserva Branco is an elegant cuvée of Avesso, Arinto, Chardonnay, and Viognier. Fermented at low temperatures in French and Austrian oak barrels for 14 months, this wine receives lees contact and it’s nicely integrated, lending body, soft texture and balance. Mineral and saline notes gracefully […]
Taylor’s 10 Year Old Tawny Port NV
Delicate. Taylor’s 10 Year Old Tawny proved to be more reticent than other Tawny’s I’d sampled while in Porto. On the palate, it’s medium bodied and inlaid with dried fruit notes, a touch of caramel seamlessly interlaces dates, figs, and dried cherries in a silky embrace. There is, at times discernible heat, especially on the […]
Taylor Fladgate Single Harvest Tawny Port 1863
From pre-phylloxera vines, Taylor’s bought a small lot of only three barrels from the 1863 vintage that had been quietly resting in a cellar for well over a century—the producer had the foresight to reserve them when phylloxera first swept through the region. An important wine because, as Taylor’s staff pointed out, ungrafted vines are […]
Quinta do Noval White Port Extra Dry 2008
Quinta do Noval’s Extra Dry White Port sports a tropical nose, heavy with aromas of dried pineapple, Meyer lemon and golden delicious apple that drift toward cider. On the palate, it’s very smooth, I love the acidity here, a vibrant cord piercing heavier layers. The finish is slightly savory, a dusting of dried thyme, marjoram. […]
Fonseca Bin 27 Finest Reserve NV
The Fonseca Bin 27 Finest Reserve, was, admittedly a bit of a disappointment, owing to the fact that I cut my teeth on Fonseca’s outstanding 2011. Of course, 2011 Fonseca is now going for around $100 per bottle, a price that is increasing over time as the vintage sells out. Bin 27 is pleasant enough, […]
Orlana Vinho Verde Rosé NV
The color of watermelon Jolly Ranchers. Interestingly, it tastes like a combination of green apple and watermelon Jolly Ranchers too, this character can be felt especially in the finish, where it liberally coats the back-palate just like the candy. On sale for $7.98 at Whole Foods, not recommended. 10.0% ABV | Sample 8.4 Points