Côtto Grande Escolha 2001

15.5 / 20

Producer: Quinta do Cotto

Region: Douro

Country: Portugal

Sporting a clear, lively garnet color, this 11 year old red from the Douro shows some nice aromas, still showing some red fruit jam and dried fruits along with the more usual old wine aromas - old cupboards, the

inside of cigar boxes and dried leaves.

Light body on the palate, with marked tertiary notes, it still show some life - good acidity, for instance - but it fails to live up to the expectations set by the bouquet. While the bouquet hints at some complexity and delicacy, the taste merely reveals a nice older wine, certainly fit enough to be enjoyed, but not showing the complexity and balance I was expecting.

Although it fared better than the 2000 I tasted a couple of months ago, I was expecting more from this.

Tasted on 2012-08-21

FSF 2001

17.0 / 20

Producer: José Maria da Fonseca

Region: Setúbal

Country: Portugal

Lovely lively garnet color on this red from Setúbal, the nose is very intense, with notes of vanilla and other spices, some red berries jam and, after some time, a touch of leather hinting at its age.

On first impact on the mouth, it shows its age, dominated by pleasant leathery notes along with strong vanilla and cocoa flavors. As it opens, some red fruit also appears in a very composed, balanced body that still shows a good deal of acidity and some very nicely tuned tannins. Very long persistence leaving notes of red fruit jam and cocoa all over the palate.

I tasted the 2004 a year or so ago and felt the wine still had a lot to offer. I think the 2001 confirms that. It's in a great drinking window and It will definitely hold for a couple of years more.

Tasted on 2012-07-12

Burmester Selected Tawny 2001

15.0 / 20

Producer: Burmester

Region: Porto

Country: Portugal

Probably an older bottling, since the current Burmester brands do not include a Selected Tawny, this was probably a young tawny, since its color is still very much on the red side with some brown hue - older tawnies usually are more amber or orange.

Dried plums and yellow sugar on the nose, some toffee, almonds and hazelnuts and a background of spices combine into a nice, yet a bit sweet bouquet.

The sweetness is also prevalent on the palate, although a still decent acidity helps to balance it. Soft bodied and sometimes letting the alcohol feel a bit too harsh, I think it would benefit if it had a bigger structure.

Nice, solid finish that leaves toffee and spices notes in the palate.

Tasted on 2011-12-28

Quinta do Além Tanha 2001

15.5 / 20

Producer: Quinta dos Avidagos

Region: Douro

Country: Portugal

Lively color, with just the slightest brown tinge, the bouquet shows a mature wine, with notes of chocolate, oak, spices and some hints of leather.

Elegant in the palate, with a delicate structure and soft, round tannins. Very much alive, with a nice, balanced acidity, it has notes of spices in the palate, finishing in a pleasant and savory fashion, with an average length persistence.

Tasted on 2011-12-16

Tokaj Hetszolo Tokaji Aszu 5 Puttonyos 2001

17.5 / 20

Producer: Hetszolo

Region: Tokaj-Hegyalja

Country: Hungary

This is a Tokaji wine from Hungary. The Aszu stands for noble rot (Botrytis Cinerea) - and it is the most noble kind of Tokaj -and the 5 puttonyos are a measure of the residual sugar in the wine - the scale goes from 3 (least sweet) to 6 (extra rare and the sweetest). As sweet wines go, Tokaji is up there on the top along with the Sauternes or Port - although they share more with Sauternes since they are also Late Harvest wines.

Beautiful old golden colour, the bouquet is impressively complex and vibrant, showing some dried apricots, hazelnuts, maybe a hint of honey. A very composed, clean bouquet that really grabs your attention.

To the taste, it is a structured wine, showing notes of honey and dried apricots all along, showing a good, balanced acidity that keeps the sweetness from becoming too much in the palate. Finishes long, leaving a persistent honey-like aftertaste that stays for a long time.

Paired with foie-gras stuffed dates and it was really good - the classical pairing of foie-gras and late harvest still makes sense. Would also be a good wine to enjoy by itself, after meals.

Tasted on 2011-05-23

Chryseia 2001

17.5 / 20

Producer: Prats & Symington

Region: Douro

Country: Portugal

One of the many special tastings at Essência do Vinho earlier this month in Oporto was a vertical tasting of the Chryseia from 2001 to 2008. Chryseia is a top brand from the Douro, the result of a joint venture between the Symington family (from the Douro) and the Prats family (from Bordeaux), who joined forces to make outstanding Douro wines.

2001 was the second vintage for Chryseia, and ten years later it is truly remarkable. Starting with the color, an intense and young ruby without any traces of evolution, continuing to the bouquet, where toast/oaky notes combine gracefully with ripe cherries and a flowery vibe is apparent on the background. Still a very fresh nose, full of life, balance and elegance.

Great balance in the mouth as well. Really good structure, silky tannins - but still very perceptible, a fresh, delicate, very well balanced wine that finishes very long with the same sensation of freshness.

It's drinking beautifully now and I urge you to try it, but I believe it will age gracefully for a couple of years more. Really, really outstanding.

Tasted on 2011-03-27

Colecção Privada DSF Moscatel Roxo 2001

16.5 / 20

Producer: José Maria da Fonseca

Region: Setúbal

Country: Portugal

Moscatel Roxo is a rare type of Moscatel de Setúbal, producing darker, more delicately flavored wines than the predominant Moscatel grape. Not as well known as Port or Madeiras, these wines are also perfect companions for a dessert (specially older Moscatéis) or a good aperitif, if server a bit colder.

Showing a beautiful, topaz/amber color, this Moscatel Roxo greets us with a full, sweet but not over the edge bouquet, dried figs and raisins, cinnamon and a touch of flowers.

Unctuous and sweet to the taste, it nevertheless shows a good acidity, that balances the body. It is still a relatively young Moscatel (10 years) and it shows both in the acidity and in the overall strength of the taste. Great, long persistence filled with dried figs and raisins notes.

Great quality and great value for money - the fact that Moscatel is not as recognized as Port or Madeira helps keep the prices down.

Desserts. The producer suggests egg based desserts and it would definitely be a good match.

Tasted on 2011-02-07