So, the headline news on the 2011 vintage Ports from the Symingtons. [I’ll be writing these up in more detail, hopefully this evening.]
It’s a very good vintage indeed. Potentially a great one. The samples we tried yesterday were the final blend, but not final bottled samples, and some of them showed much more open fruit, with slightly oxidative development, which I’m assuming comes from the sample preparation a few days ago. So I have given a range of scores.
Graham’s 2011 – very sweet, open, pretty and floral with amazing presence. 93–96/100
Graham’s Stone Terraces 2011 – first vintage of this new super-cuvee, and it’s amazing – structured, powerful, yet still immensely pretty. 96–98/100
Warre’s 2011 – sweet, warm and yet fresh with amazing purity, concentration and depth. 94–96/100
Cockburn’s 2011 – noticeably lighter than the others with sweet blackcurrant and cherry fruit. Very pure and supple. 91–93/100
Dow’s 2011 – pure, liqueur-like and bold with an enticing floral nose. 93–95/100
Vesuvio 2011 – very ripe, smooth, sweet and open with seductive texture. 93–96/100
Capela de Vesuvio 2011 – incredible aromatics of mint, liquorice and even a hint of pine. Tremendous depth, structure and complexity. 95–98/100
1 Comment on The Symington 2011 Ports
Can’t wait to get my hands on some 2011 vintage ports… Everyone is sauing that they are amazing.