| 19.5 / 20 |
Region: Porto
Country: Portugal
One of the vintages presented at a great tasting event - the last 2 centuries of Ramos Pinto Vintages - that took place in Lisbon last month, this was, in my opinion, one of the highlights - which is saying a lot, since all the wines presented were of the highest quality.
Amber colored, the nose is, at first, a little subdued, with some hazelnuts, spices, a touch of iodine. It gains some strength as it breathes, old cupboards come to mind and finally, notes of cocoa and chocolate appear. Twenty minutes after being poured, the nose on this wine is completely unreal, showing a complexity, strength and life beyond expectation.
The palate follows through. On first impact, iodine and hazelnuts take center stage. Spices join the dried fruits making a not very sweet mouth. Acidity is amazing for a 80 year old wine, still vibrant and alive. Marvelously structured, with a ridiculously long finish that leaves cocoa and chocolate impressions.
But again, it's the way the wine grows in the glass that blew me away and make this a truly outstanding wine. 80 year old wines are not supposed to gain complexity and life when exposed to oxygen. Certainly not like this one. Truly otherworldly.
Tasted on 2011-11-26
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