- 08 Apothic Red (CA): Comes on sweet, finishes rough, but the middle is pure cranberry & chocolate, velvety Zin-ish fun. $14 B- #
- 09 Ramos Pinto Duas Quintas Reserva White (Douro): Lively, but you need to be into oak & vanilla cream to put this one on your list. $30 B- #
- Ramos Pinto Quinta do Bom Retiro 20 Year Old Tawny (Porto): As complex as you’d imagine when up to 50 diff. vintages are included. $55 A- #
- 07 Ramos Pinto Vintage Port (Porto): Extremely powerful, but seductively complex w/ mint leaf, spices, ripe & dried black fruits… $75 A- #
- 08 Ramos Pinto “Collection” (Douro): When it’s throwing eucalyptus, pepper & dark red fruit at you, U know U R not in Kansas anymore. $23 B+ #
- 07 Quinta de Ventozelo Vintage Port (Porto): Great mouthfeel doesn’t make up for subdued aromas. Weakest 07 VP I’ve come across so far €30 B #
- 09 Quinta de Ventozelo Branco (Douro): Quaffable, citrusy white? Yes. Anything to write home about? Not really. €4 C+ #
- 03 Quinta do Vallado Reserva Red (Douro): Old vines & true field blend that delivers kick-ass, focused, & gripping black fruit power. €25 B+ #
- 09 Quinta do Vallado Reserva White (Douro): Elegant, balanced & lovely combo. of cream, lemon spritz, & herbs. High yumminess factor. €16 B+ #
- 01 Quinta da Cavadinha Vintage Port (Porto): Like a dark, spiced, dried-fruit dessert, only about one billion times more complex. $35 A- #
- 01 Warre’s LBV Port (Porto): Finishes tough but comes on fresh, dark & beautiful when it wants to. She already owns you, buddy! $25 B+ #
- Warre’s Otima 10 Year Old Tawny Port (Porto): Been shakin’ up the entry Port world & with good reason; it’s a total bargain. $20 B #
