Bacalhôa Moscatel Roxo 2000

17.0 / 20

Producer: Bacalhôa

Region: Setúbal

Country: Portugal

From one of the major wine producers in Setúbal (and Portugal, I guess), this Moscatel Roxo is a great example of these fortified wines. Light amber, the nose is intense and rich but never being excessive. I was reminded of an aged Madeira on first impact, with the same crystalized lemon rind, exotic woods, dried fruits and smoky feel. Later on, there are also a good deal of more flowery notes (orange blossom) popping up.

In the palate, this shows a masterful balance between the sweetness brought by the more honeyed notes and the acidity that is brought by the crystalized lemon and orange rind. Structured and full-bodied as expected, but able to keep the taste lively and fresh, finishing in a lengthy fashion.

Tasted on 2012-08-25

Côtto Grande Escolha 2000

15.5 / 20

Producer: Quinta do Cotto

Region: Douro

Country: Portugal

Light garnet with just the slightest hints of brown, this top brand from the Douro - made to last 15/25 years according to the producer - has an old wine bouquet, first with notes of dry leaves, old cupboards and leather, then slowly opening up and showing some jam, notes of cocoa and chocolate but mainly focusing on more tertiary, evolution based notes.

Soft bodied in the palate, relying again on tertiary notes, with cocoa/toast and some leather marking the taste, it still shows a balanced acidity and a nice grip. Well balanced and smooth, it finishes in a medium length style. Overall correct, but it somehow failed to live to its expectations.

Tasted on 2012-06-19

Yacochuya 2000

18.0 / 20

Producer: San Pedro de Yacochuya

Region: Salta

Country: Argentina

A Malbec from Argentina made by Michel Rolland and highly praised by Robert Parker, this could easily be one of those wines that fail to meet expectations.

But fortunately, this is a very rewarding, deep and imposing wine that is a pleasure to all senses. Strong in the nose, with nicely tuned coffee and toast notes, a hint of spices and still showing, after 10 years in the bottle, evident notes of of opulent dark plums.

This is still a dense, layered and complex wine, supported by still lively and hard tannins and a fresh acidity. This is perfectly balanced by the spices present in the body that, along with some leather notes and some plums, make an outstanding, full and fulfilling taste, that somehow comes across as elegant. Very long finish.

Given the acidity and the tannins the wine still shows, I'm quite sure this will last for some years.

Tasted on 2012-01-21

Quinta de Baixo Garrafeira 2000

17.0 / 20

Producer: Quinta de Baixo

Region: Bairrada

Country: Portugal

An 11 year old 100% Baga from the Bairrada, this is a great example of what this region and grape type have to offer, as long as you give their wines time to age gracefully.

Intense and complex bouquet, where dried plums mingle with spices, caramel and coffee, some smoke. Later on, some ripe plums also appear.

Very much alive in the palate, with a balanced acidity, yet some noticeable tannins, although tamed, and a really good structure. Perfect balance between fruit and oak, all youth excesses polished and trimmed. Very persistent, with a dry, distinct and deep finale that conjures up some dark plums again.

Great Bairrada by any standards, coming into the ideal drinking window.

Tasted on 2011-10-27

Casa Cadaval Cabernet Sauvignon 2000

16.5 / 20

Producer: Casa Cadaval

Region: Tejo

Country: Portugal

Dark garnet in the glass, showing no signs of aging, this 11 year old from Casa Cadaval is in a very interesting phase.

Aromas first hint of vegetables, specially bellpepper, later replaced by ripe red fruits, some leather and maybe a spicier background. The vegetable impressions linger on, but not in the forefront. The whole is very balanced and appealing without showing a great deal of intensity.

In the mouth, it's an average-bodied wine, where everything is in its right place. Good acidity, subtle oak notes that combine with some vegetable touches, red fruits and some tertiary flavors - leather again - starting to appear. Smooth, velvety tannins give it a bit of structure, while the finish is medium-long.

Overall, it is a very pleasurable wine, round and smoothed down, which I believe is peaking now. For the price tag on this (around 10€), it's a great deal.

Tasted on 2011-05-24

Ferreira Late Bottled Vintage 2000

16.5 / 20

Producer: Ferreira

Region: Porto

Country: Portugal

A good LBV from one of the most well known Port brands, it starts off with a great bouquet, with lots of cherries (not overly ripe) combined with some sweet overtones of honey and spices.

Intense but balanced in the nose, the taste follows through with an amazing body, dense but backed by a lively, fresh feel that keeps it from going over the top. Tamed tannins help structure the wine, ending with a long, sweet aftertaste.

I really enjoyed this, as it felt really balanced, restraining the usual strength and power of the late bottled vintages and providing a smooth taste.

Tasted on 2010-10-29

Offley Late Bottled Vintage 2000

16.0 / 20

Producer: Sogrape

Region: Porto

Country: Portugal

Showing a dark purple color, this 10 year old LBV from Offley revealed itself to be a fine Port in its category. Apparently, its 6 year bottle stage helped reduce some of the more chemical notes usually present in this kind of Port. Its aromas center around dried plums, raisins, a hint of sandal wood and then opening up to more flowery overtones. The mouth follows up with sweet dried fruits leading the tasting sensation, the tannins already well balanced and adjusted. It still has a great acidity that helps to balance the sweet fruit and guarantee that this will hold (and grow) for some more years. Finish is long and persistent. Great company for a cigar!

try it with dark chocolate and the mentioned cigar and it will shine.

Tasted on 2010-06-29

Graham's Vintage 2000

18.0 / 20

Producer: Graham's

Region: Porto

Country: Portugal

A really young vintage from Graham's. It's a dark, deep ruby colored vintage. The nose is very subtle, giving us some cocoa and coffee scents, as well as some flowers. But nothing very concrete. In the mouth, it has some mint and plum notes, with a very high acidity and alcohol. It is an extremely powerful and complex wine but, in my opinion, it should age at least some five years before being tasted.

Whatever dessert you try with this one, be sure to choose a strong flavored one. I would try it with something based on dark chocolate.