by Andrew Chalk
‘Any port in a storm’ goes an old saying but for serious port drinkers the storm is superfluous. Just a glass and, ideally, good company at the end of the meal, maybe supplemented with stilton and nuts.
This port is a blend of three wines from two vineyards. The Quinta do Tua provided a mixture of grape varieties from its stone terraces. Wines from two vintages, 2014 and 2015 were made. The Vinha dos Barcos vineyard, at Graham’s Quinta dos Malvedos, downstream and consisting of just the Touriga Franca variety, produced a wine in 2015. The three wines were all made and blended at the Malvedos winery and named ‘Six Grapes’ in homage to the original Graham’s label.
The appearance is an opaque ruby. Its near 20% alcohol level (port is a fortified wine) is evident from the long legs it striates on the glass.The nose has plums, blackberry, and cassis. On the palate the wine is all enveloping with cassis, mint, licorice, green tea, and coffee flavors. Held up by taut acidity sweet, chewy tannins.
One great thing about port is that the fortification (addition of alcoholic spirit in the fermentation) means it will last several weeks once opened if it is stored in the refrigerator with the cork put back in.
Sample.
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