Messias Colheita 1977

17.5 / 20

Producer: Messias

Region: Porto

Country: Portugal

The first colheita I tasted from Messias, this 1977 was bottled in 2007 and is showing very well at the moment, the spirits here already tamed and integrated into the whole wine.

Really interesting, complex nose where dried fruits mingle with some exotic woods in a sweet, honeyed background.

Smooth and layered in the palate, honey and caramel, rasins and dried plums, the spirits give it some acidity and freshness. Delicate, smooth caramel notes come up as well in a smooth, elegant and velvety body. Great, long finish. Amazing value for the price.

Dow's Vintage 1977

17.0 / 20

Producer: Dow's

Region: Douro

Country: Portugal

The vintages from Dows I have been fortunate enough to taste have always felt more austere and dry than other brands, where the wines feel more sweet and round (for instance, Graham's comes to mind). Great wines all of them, of course, but a definite distinct approach.

This 77 vintage follows this dry and austere approach. Still very much red in the glass, with some slightly brownish tinge, the aromas are very spiced - cinnamon or cocoa for instance - while at the same time having a earthy feel to them (old cupboards). As the wine stays in the glass for quite some time, sweeter notes (honey and raisins) start to appear in the background.

The mouth is similarly focused on spices and old wood. Dry in the mouth, still with a very decent acidity, it has an elegant, almost delicate body and a superbly long persistence.

I decided not to rate this higher because I felt that the wine should be even better in the mouth. It felt restrained and as if it was holding back something. Maybe it would have benefited from a longer decantation (I gave it about two hours)?

Tasted on 2011-01-30

Warre's Vintage 1977

18.5 / 20

Producer: Warre's

Region: Porto

Country: Portugal

A thirty something year-old vintage that still shows an amazing fresh deep red color.

The nose gives us some beautiful red fruit, joined by some honey, dried fruits and spices.

Full bodied in the mouth, it is still very fresh, with the tannins clearly there. Very strong finish. This is a really good vintage and I think it will still grow for some years. It should be even better in five years or so.