2005 Taylor's Quinta de Vargellas

This is the vintage that is giving way to the 2008 (also described here) in the Waitrose supply chain. Like the 2008, the cork was extremely difficult to extract and, in this case, broke in two. Ruby colour with paleness at the extreme rim. The wine is considerably mellower and riper than the 2008 but has the same headiness, in this case a certain nuttiness (walnuts?) rather than herbiness. Very lively and pure with a strong liquorice note on the palate. Single-quinta vintage ports must be one of the world's serious wine bargains. (JR)