Tasted at the Denver offline with WIML on 5/12/03.

Served double blind with the desserts. The desserts served were chocolate-hazelnut truffle tarts with raspberry coulis and whipped cream, and grilled pears with gorgonzola dolce and reduced riesling sauce.

Decanted for four hours before tasting. Just when we thought we might be starting to suffer from palate fatigue, I heard comments like "Holy Yum!" As FreeTheGrapes said, this wine was definitely red. Burnt caramel on the nose, deep flavors of plum and caramel on the palate with a hint of chocolate. It is very tannic at this stage. Comments like "smells like port" are ringing all around me, and "it was good." TheTWood did try to help with the descriptors for the nose on this one. It was at this point that he started pulling spice jars out of his kitchen cabinets to try to identify the smells.

Maybe this should be considered more of an impression than a tasting note. This was absolutely fantastic with the chocolate tarts. Way too young, but fun to try in this venue.

Mike

mbansek:

i'm pleasantly surprised by this 94 port, especially at the price compared to the big five! i'll have to see if i can scrounge some more of this, i've already drank my one bottle of 94 i had. can't keep my hands off it!!! i've got some 2000 coming, hopefully it's as good.

From 375mL. Garnet/ruby colour. Aromas of raisins, earth, alcohol. Full-bodied, tannic, with raisins, plums, earth, alcohol, spice, cinnamon. Long finish, 45-50s, with alcohol and raisins. Needs another 10 years. 91 points (02/19/2005).