2014 Ramos Pinto

The 2014 Vintage Port "Quinta do Bom Retiro" is a blend of Touriga Nacional (50%), Sousão (15%), Tinta Barroca (10%) and old vines (25%), aged in a large, well-used French vat (7,500 liters). It comes in at 95 grams per liter of residual sugar. This single quinta Porto has been seen before, as a barrel sample, but this is the first appearance in the USA in bottle. Unlike many early bottlings I saw, this has held its own, showing the ability to develop in the bottle rather than fade. As 2014s go, this is impressive. Showing fine structure and weight--at least relative to the year--this has the dry and serious demeanor typical of the vintage, but there is expressive fruit in there, too. It finishes well--tight, weighty and flavorful--despite the year. It should be accessible young, but it would certainly benefit from five to 10 years in the cellar. There were just 9,000 bottles produced.