The name “port” is as a result of the wine’s storage and trade from Oporto at the estuary of the river Douro. The wine was transported along the river to the cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia, which due to its proximity to the cooling influence of the Atlantic enables the lengthy ageing of the wine in the cellars.
Tasting notes: Floral, aromatic, dark fruits. Big and sweet on entry. Very balanced and seemingly integrated despite its youth. Ripe tannins, with a wealth of firm fruit above. Strong finish. The best wine here; needs 10-15 years I think. 17+/20 (November 2004) thewinedoctor.com
Tasting notes: Richard Hemming, www.jancisrobinson.com, May 2009
“Blueberry, cranberry, clove, violets - very opulent. Rich, thick mouthfeel with lovely balance of acidity, very approachable, surprisingly soft whilst remaining very concentrated. 20%.
Tasting notes: From the excellent 1991 vintage, the 1991 Dow is an outstanding port.
90/100 Review "The firmly-structured, moderately tannic, impressively coloured and concentrated 1991 Vintage Port offers a classic display of black fruits, liquorice, and chocolate aromas and flavours, as well as a full-bodied, muscular style with considerable tannin and firmness." Robert Parker, Wine Advocate 1995.
Tasting notes: Neal Martin, www.erobertparker.com, May 2009
“A limpid purple garnet core. The nose is quintessential Fonseca, like a riotous party reaching its crescendo in the glass. Macerated black cherries, eau-de-vie, damson, fig and a touch of Seville orange. Then what is fascinating is that the uproar dies down with aeration, becomes more focused...as if the host has asked everyone to quieten down. The palate is powerful and spicy on the entry, sweet ripe black berried fruits, a touch of spice, fig and apricot, lovely cohesion and weight building towards a deeply joyous finish that lacquers the mouth in port-like reverie. Perhaps more approachable than the 2000 or the 2003 at this stage, this is a marvellous Fonseca.”
Tasting notes: This wine has an amazing colour for it's age - it looks barely ten years old. The nose gives a similar impression, as it is still densely packed with lovely, chocolate-tinged fruit. The palate is big and sweetly textured, with a fantastic, harmonious structure, provided by a seam of ripe, integrated tannins which never dominate. This is delicious stuff. Needs another 5-10 years. 18.5+/20 (November 2003) thewinedoctor.com
Tasting notes: James Suckling - Wine Spectator 93/100pts
"Getting better all the time in the bottle. Real blockbuster of a wine that sneaks up on you. Beautiful tar, grape and berry aromas and flavours. It's full-bodied, quite sweet and reserved, but kicks off at the end with loads of fruit and tannins. Tasted twice with consistent notes."
Tasting notes: After dinner, old tawny is a good match with cheeses and especially chocolate based desserts. It can also be drunk as an aperitif, serve at room temperature or lightly chilled. Niepoort produces 10, 20 and 30 years old Tawny. The skilful ageing and blending of the different tawny ports is the art of master blender José Nogueira.
Tawny Port keeps well for several years, although the wine will not improve with age. It contains no sediment and does not neet to be decanted.
Tasting notes: Niepoort Dry White is made in the tradicional style with long skin maceration. The final blend includes different wines aged in oak casks with an average of 3,5 years.
Dry White is lovely if served chilled as an aperitif or as a long drink with Tonic Water, ice and a twist of lemon.
Tasting notes: With time, Ruby Dum retains its youthful, strong character, dominated by red cherries and plums with great freshness from ageing in large wooden vats in the cool cellars of Vila Nova de Gaia.
