Winery - Quinta do Portal
* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Smooth and supple, with caramel scents backed by hints of berries and citrus. Marries still-vigorous fruit with warm, honeyed notes.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
This young vintage Port is quite big, with plenty of lush fruit and some herb and spice notes. It’s also on the dry side for vintage Port, and it lacks the hulking tannins you might expect. Surprisingly ready to drink, even at this age.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
It’s light and relatively dry, with aromas and flavors of prune and Mexican chocolate. Turns spicy and peppery on the finish.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
At 10 years of age, Portal’s tawny is still showing some rough edges of youth; it’s big and brawny, with plump cherry-berry fruit joined by citrus and caramel. A fine café au lait note comes through on the finish.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Plums, dusty earth and dried spice mingle on the nose of this older release that actually seems more ageworthy than Portal’s 1997 and 1999. It’s supple, medium-weight wine, with plum, prune and spice flavors that finish with modest tannins and pleasing berry and spice notes.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Smoky and earthy, with intertwining notes of anise, hung game and plum. The mouthfeel is creamy and soft, the flavors oaky, especially on the finish, but amply backed by lush fruit. Drink now.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Smoky, meaty aromas lead into perfumed fruit flavors. The tannins are soft but dry; the fruit is very aromatic with a touch of violets and some rich, dark tannins underneath. The wine will age well—probably 5–10 years. —R.V.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Auru is a play on the word Ouro, gold, from the Rio Douro, or river of gold. The wine is only made in the best years. It is a complete wine, with its spice and wood character just one element in the mix of sweet fruits, tight tannins and layers of acidity. It could well age over the next 3–4 years.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Another Port success from the Branco family of Quinta do Portal, following their success with the 2003 vintage. This is a lovely, lively wine, with fresh acidity alongside good, mature fruit. It is ripe but very elegant, with a sweet, dried fruit aftertaste.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
A very soft, easy wine, with some good concentration that just lacks a central core.
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