2013 Quinta do Vesuvio

Quinta do Vesuvio's 2013 Vintage Port is a blend of 65% Touriga Nacional, 10% Tinta Barroca, 12% Alicante Bouschet and 13% combined of Touriga Franca and Sousão. It comes in at 110 grams per liter of residual sugar. This was bottled in 2015 after 18 months in used oak vats. Seeming full bodied and quite dry in perception when opened, it kept getting sexier with air and time, the sugar and the sweet fruit eventually popping up. At the day day mark, it was irresistible and sensationally delicious. This inky black Vesuvio was probably my favorite Single Quinta in this report, although admittedly the beautiful Dow's makes it a close call and may have even more upside. If I had to pick one, though, this would likely be it. This is the sexier and more aromatic of the two. The Dow is more controlled and brooding, just a bit harder to read. They are both wonderful, though. On opening, this preened in its power, but its signature features will be the tasty fruit and powerful aromatics. That was, admittedly, not completely clear at first. Gripping and lingering on the finish, it is gorgeously constructed, nicely concentrated and it has more upside with cellaring than most of the 2013s I've been tasting. This needs some cellaring to become more expressive and softer. It should be worth the wait. Notes: This Douro Superior Quinta was acquired by the Symingtons in 1989. There were 750 nine-liter cases produced.

Plum, jam, light tannin. Great primary fruit strength, but lacks any further flavour penetration. (RH)

Quinta do Vesuvio's 2013 Vintage Port is a blend of 65% Touriga Nacional, 10% Tinta Barroca, 12% Alicante Bouschet and 13% combined of Touriga Franca and Sousão. It comes in at 110 grams per liter of residual sugar. This was bottled in 2015 after 18 months in used oak vats. Seeming full bodied and quite dry in perception when opened, it kept getting sexier with air and time, the sugar and the sweet fruit eventually popping up. At the day day mark, it was irresistible and sensationally delicious. This inky black Vesuvio was probably my favorite Single Quinta in this report, although admittedly the beautiful Dow's makes it a close call and may have even more upside. If I had to pick one, though, this would likely be it. This is the sexier and more aromatic of the two. The Dow is more controlled and brooding, just a bit harder to read. They are both wonderful, though. On opening, this preened in its power, but its signature features will be the tasty fruit and powerful aromatics. That was, admittedly, not completely clear at first. Gripping and lingering on the finish, it is gorgeously constructed, nicely concentrated and it has more upside with cellaring than most of the 2013s I've been tasting. This needs some cellaring to become more expressive and softer. It should be worth the wait. Notes: This Douro Superior Quinta was acquired by the Symingtons in 1989. There were 750 nine-liter cases produced. Dec 15, www.robertparker.com, Drink: 2023-2055