Dessert, Fortified & Fruit Wine by Croft from Portugal. The 2003 Croft Vintage Port reveals an opaque, black-colored core with notes of dark ruby on the rim. Its gorgeously creamy, profound nose displays sweet dark cherries, black plums, pepper, raisin jam, and blueberries. Thick, satin-textured, and immensely rich, this opulent yet elegant wine is engagingly warm, concentrated, and harmonious. Copious quantities of plums, black cherries, jammy blackberries and spices are found throughout its personality as well as in its prolonged, spirit-tinged, finish. Projected maturity: 2020-2045. -Wine Advocate This is incredible on the nose and palate. It shows masses of wild black fruits with an almost exotic undertone. Full-bodied, medium-sweet and supervelvety. It goes on and on. No doubt one of the best of the vintage. Great Croft here; its single quinta Roeda must have delivered in 2003. This could be the best Port from here since 1945. Score range: 95-100 -Wine Spectator Barrel Sample
Dessert, Fortified & Fruit Wine by Dow's from Portugal. 10 Years indicates and average age - this Aged Tawny Port is a blend of older wines, which offer complexity and younger wines, which bring fresh fruit flavors and vibrancy. During their long maturing period in oak casks, Aged Tawnies undergo subtle color changes: the deep red hue which characterizes Port's youth gradually gives way to a paler reddish amber color. Dow's is known for its characteristically drier house style. This 10 Year has a full, nutty bouquet with citrus and vanilla accents on the palate and a soft lingering finish. Serving and Pairing Suggestions Dow's 10 Year is bottled ready to drink after an average of at least ten years of cask aging. It has a t-cap closure, which means that you don't need a corkscrew to open it and that it will stay fresh for two to four months if stored in a cool, dark place or refrigerator. Serve it in a glass with at least a six ounce capacity so that you may appreciate the wine's aromas. Dow's 10 Year is delicious when paired with soft ripened cheeses such as a double cream cow's milk cheese, flan or fruit tarts. In warmer months, try it chilled for a refreshing dessert in a glass.
Dessert, Fortified & Fruit Wine by Hidalgo from Spain. Number 47 on the Wine.com 100 of 2007! The standard of type and leader both in Spain and abroad. Manzanilla is the rarest of all authentic sherries, being uniquely site-specific in origin. Matured beneath a constant veil of yeast (called flor) as only occurs in beachfront and protected cliffside bodegas of sanlucar, giving Manzanilla a dry, haunting delicacy analogous to fine Champagne.
Dessert, Fortified & Fruit Wine by Chambers Rosewood from Victoria, Australia. Sourced from material aged between six and ten years old, this wine is the foundation of the style; displaying the fresh raisin aromas, rich fruit, clean spirit and great length of flavor on the palate which are the mark of all the Muscats of Rutherglen. While these wines are seen as after dinner drinks, try serving them as an aperitif, particularly in winter. A small glass goes a very long way, warming the mind as well as the stomach. And remember that a bottle, once opened, will keep for some months without deteriorating, providing it is recorked after each serving.
Dessert, Fortified & Fruit Wine by Ramos Pinto from Portugal. This ruby port has a vibrant youthful color, with a red-brown rim that is the only visual concession to maturity. It has full aromas unveiling dry plum, fig and berry scents with a touch of pepper. On the palate, the attack is soft and succulent. This is a rich, subtle wine with a fine, generous structure and remarkable persistence. The Collector is an excellent accompaniment to mild cheeses and sweet dark chocolate. An unfiltered vintage character port is a blend of several excellent vintages aged in wood for about six years. The wine retains its delicate fruity aromas while gaining the patina and roundness of age. The Collector gives wine drinkers the opportunity to experience a vintage quality wine without laying it down for years
Dessert, Fortified & Fruit Wine by Croft from Portugal. This is a Vintage Character Port which is a blend of Ports which have been aged in wood for four to five years to produce wines of greater complexity than their younger counterparts. A port with attractive, intense fresh fruit aromas and flavours. Premium reserve port of superior age and quality. Vigorous but silky taste. Very consistent bottle to bottle. Decanting is not required. Enjoy for many months.
Dessert, Fortified & Fruit Wine by Delaforce from Portugal. Aged for an average of 20 years in old oak casks, the 20 Year Old is a finely balanced wine of phenomena richness and complexity. The additional 10 years of aging yields an elegant balance between the nutty honeyed finish and the vivid raisiny fruit. The 20 year old tawny is an extremely versatile dessert wine essential to complete the meal. The soft, honeyed nose is entirely inviting, hinting at the refinement this wine carries from start to finish. Though not a heavyweight, there's a goodly amount of apricot and quince mixed with toffee and creme br lee. Scrumptious, racy and recommended for those who like good Port. -Wine Enthusiast
Dessert, Fortified & Fruit Wine by Dow's from Portugal. Only produced or 'declared' in years of exceptional quality and represent a very small percentage (2 - 3%) of total Port production. The backbone of Dow's Vintage Ports are drawn from the companies' finest vineyards, Quinta do Bomfim and Senhora da Riberia. Each property contributing to the wines unique character and class. Aged in wood for approximately 2 years and bottled unfiltered, Dow Vintage Ports are considered to be amongst the finest Vintage Ports produced. These fine wines can be enjoyed young and vibrant or allowed to aged for many years in bottle, developing their very own style, very different from all wood aged Ports. 2003 follows the traditional Dow's Vintage Port style; drier than the other leading houses while retaining the traditional richness that is characteristic of all great Vintage Port. A wine with immense power and structure.
Dessert, Fortified & Fruit Wine by Dow's from Portugal. Very dark opaque purple colour, with a typically spicy nose and intense underlying aromas of blackberries and blackcurrants. On the palate enormous weight and structure with a marvellous balance of dense black fruit flavours and firm tannins.
Dessert, Fortified & Fruit Wine by Graham's from Portugal. 10 Years indicates and average age - this Aged Tawny Port is a blend of older wines, which offer complexity and younger wines, which bring fresh fruit flavors and vibrancy. During their long maturing period in oak casks, Aged Tawnies undergo subtle color changes: the deep red hue which characterizes Port's youth gradually gives way to a paler reddish amber color. Graham's is known for its rich, elegant house style. This 10 Year has a full, nutty bouquet, the classic Graham's richness and a soft lingering finish. Serving and pairing suggestions Graham's 10 Year is bottled ready to drink after an average of at least ten years of cask aging. It has a t-cap closure, which means that you don't need a corkscrew to open it and that it will stay fresh for two to four months if stored in a cool, dark place or refrigerator. Serve it in a glass with at least a six ounce capacity so that you may appreciate the wine's aromas. Graham's 10 Year is delicious when paired with milk chocolate, creme brulee or fruit tarts. In warmer months, try it chilled for a refreshing dessert in a glass.
Dessert, Fortified & Fruit Wine by Dow's from Portugal. Dow's 2000 Late Bottled Vintage Port is a fine value and marries delicious red fruit flavors with dark cocoa power and a slightly spicy, vibrant finish. It is made from a single year's harvest (in this case, 2000) and then aged for four years in oak casks. (The term late bottled vintage is because Vintage Port is aged for two years and then bottled with the intention of further bottle aging.) The extra aging helps it develop more quickly. Serving and pairing suggestions Given its extra aging, the Dow's LBV is bottled ready to drink. It has a t-cap closure, which means that you don't need a corkscrew to open it and that it will stay fresh for up to two months if stored in a cool, dark place or refrigerator. Serve it in a glass with at least a six ounce capacity so that you may appreciate the wine's aromas. It is delicious with dark chocolate or blue cheeses such as Point Reyes Original Blue.
Dessert, Fortified & Fruit Wine by Royal Tokaji Wine Company from Hungary, European. Wine Spectator Top 100 of 2006! The 2000 Red Label is straw-colored with a hint of gold. On the nose, there are fruit aromas dominated by apricot and quince, with a lovely touch of wild flowers and orange peel. The palate exhibits ripe orange, figs and orange and grapefruit peel flavors, with a hint of honey at the end. This is a well-balanced wine, with a nice velvety texture and excellent length. Six vintages of the Royal Tokaji Red Label have been produced since its premier release of the 1990 vintage. Since then, the Red Label wine has been made in 1991, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1999 and 2000. This wine is a blend of carefully selected grapes from several of Royal Tokaji's vineyards. The summer and fall of 2000 were dry in the Tokaj wine region, resulting in finely-matured grapes. Harvest began mid-September and went through early November. Rating: 94 points, Editor's Choice An amazing wine that is a benchmark for its class. Pure scents of dried apricot, citrus, jasmine and melon are coated with Asian spices, while the mouth is honeyed but nuanced, with flavors of dried spices, apricot marmalade and citrus fruits. What sets this wine apart is its mouthwatering acidity. A blend of grapes from multiple vineyards, this. wine is a steal at this price. - Wine Enthusiast, June 2006 500ml bottle
Dessert, Fortified & Fruit Wine by Ch. LaFaurie Peyraguey from Sauternes and Barsac, Bordeaux. Wine Spectator Top 100 Wines of 2006 - #6! LaFaurie-Peyraguey has produced some of Sauternes' most powerful wines for more than two decades. The 2003 is no exception-Bordeaux's hottest summer on record produced a full-bodied dessert wine with incredibly intense apricot and honey aromas. To achieve that concentration, the chateau uses more than 90 percent Semillon, planted on 100 acres of gravel. -Wine Spectator
Dessert, Fortified & Fruit Wine by Mission Hill from Canada. Racy and intense, this is all Riesling from its fragrance of honey and citrus fruit to flavours of ripe apricots and orange peel. A striking clarity of expression, this wine's unctuous sweetness is offset by zesty, mouth-watering acidity creating a lasting impression of elegance and finesse. The ultra-premium S.L.C. Wines represent the height of the winemaking craft at Mission Hill Family Estate. Carefully selected fruit from designated vineyard lots is barrel aged in French oak to produce complex, balanced, age-worthy wines made with dedication and conviction.
Dessert, Fortified & Fruit Wine by Taylor Fladgate from Portugal. An exceptionally fine old tawny blend, aged for 10 years in oak casks. Elegant and smooth, combining delicate wood notes and rich mellow fruit, it is bottled for immediate drinking. A superb dessert wine, particularly with dishes made with chocolate, coffee or almonds, Taylor's 10 Year Old Tawny may also be served at the end of the meal in the same way as Vintage Port.
Dessert, Fortified & Fruit Wine by Jaboulet from Rhone, France - Rhone. Crystal clear color with golden reflections. Exceptionally intense bouquet, with aromas of peach, grape, apricot, mango and lychee. Full, velvety, sweet. Perfect balance between sugar-alcohol-acidity. Gives the impression of biting into a freshly picked Muscat grape. Food Match: foie gras, desserts.
Dessert, Fortified & Fruit Wine by Mer Soleil from Central Coast, California. This luscious dessert wine, made from Viognier grapes, is the result of Botrytis cinerea-the organism responsible for some of the world's most highly regarded dessert wines. The Wagner family's vineyard site in the Santa Lucia Highlands provides optimal conditions for late-season botrytis. The vineyard's climate also results in wines with great natural balance because the cool temperatures help maintain excellent acidity in the grapes. This balance is crucial in a dessert wine like this one, with a residual sugar of 17 percent at bottling. The grapes for this wine were hand-picked on December 8 and 9, 2000 An expansive nose of floral aromas, apricots and spice. In the mouth, flavors of ripe apricots and honey. The wine has a mouth-coating, nectar-like texture and a lingering honeyed-fig finish. This is a true dessert wine, with a dense, velvety body and flavors that stay with you long after you've put the glass down.
Dessert, Fortified & Fruit Wine by Ch teau de Rayne Vigneau from Sauternes and Barsac, France - Bordeaux. Good pale yellow. High-toned aromas of peach, pineapple and licorice, along with a whiff of bug spray. Pineapple and citrus flavors offer modest flesh and show a slight dry edge. Not bad, but could use more thrust and length. Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar 86-88 points Spicy honey and apricot character. Medium-bodied and medium sweet, with a good finish. Better for this estate than in 2003. Wine Spectator Barrel Tasting, Score range: 85-88
Dessert, Fortified & Fruit Wine by Coppo from Piedmont, Italy. Brilliant yellow color with some green highlights. The nose is refreshing and delicate with scents of peach, pear and the characteristic fragrance of Moscato. An elegant, slightly sweet, sparkling wine. Excellent on its own or with panettone (a typical Italian Christmas cake) and other light pastries.
Dessert, Fortified & Fruit Wine by Domecq from Spain. La Ina is considered by many critics to be one of the benchmark Spanish Finos. Bone-dry with a lovely pale-straw hue, this medium-bodied sherry features fresh apple, almond and yeast flavors from its biological aging under a protective layer of flor yeast. La Ina is an ideal companion for olives, nuts, cheese, anchovies, sardines, shrimp or grilled sausages, and should always be served well chilled.
Dessert, Fortified & Fruit Wine by Ch teau Suduiraut from Sauternes and Barsac, France - Bordeaux. Displays focused aromas of lemon curd, spice and dried apricot. Full-bodied, medium sweet and quite oily, with a lemon rind and spice aftertaste. Long and racy for the vintage. Best after 2010. Wine Spectator 91 Points
Dessert, Fortified & Fruit Wine by Warres from Portugal. The latest addition to the range of fine ports from Warres, Otima is an aged 10 year old tawny especially suitable for those with a preference for the lighter style of Port. Its delicate palate challenges the traditional perception of Port as a dark and full-bodied after-dinner drink. Otima is a Premium Quality Port from a renowned Port house, and brings a lighter, more contemporary style to reflect today's lifestyle - a contemporary, quality drink, versatile enough to be enjoyed anytime.
Dessert, Fortified & Fruit Wine by RL Buller from Victoria, Australia. Mid-reddish brown to amber at the rim. Aromatic raisiny/floral scents/hint of spirit. Initial sweetness and raisiny flavours linger to reveal complex hints of honey and lemons. Some rancio character. Underlying structure of tannin and well-integrated spirit. Finish is long and the honeyed flavours return and linger. Muscat can be an interesting match for a range of fruit desserts and puddings; also good with soft, ripe blue cheeses and nuts. Ready for immediate consumption.
Dessert, Fortified & Fruit Wine by Peter Lehmann from Barossa Valley, Australia. Color: Brightly polished gold with green tints on the rim. Bouquet: The lifted nose shows classic botrytis marmalade characters and deep honey notes. Palate: A wine of remarkable intensity with superb weight of luscious honeyed fruit on the middle palate. This richness is beautifully counter-balanced by natural acidity and it finishes with a delightfully clean complexity. Enjoy: Botrytis Semillon is a very versatile wine style and is naturally thought of as a dessert wine. It is an excellent complement to cheese, particularly soft, ripe cheeses and good blue cheese accompanied by fresh fruit. It is also the perfect wine for a scrambled egg and smoked salmon Sunday brunch.
Dessert, Fortified & Fruit Wine by Cockburn from Portugal. Consistently hot and dry, with no surprises and an optimal level of rain during the different seasons of the year. The vines grew with a low but steady level of water, allowing them to classically develop. A fine picking season in September lead to a harvest with above average quantity and excellent quality, mainly due to the consistency of the weather. He added, It was a good year especially for Touriga Franca and Touriga Nacional, allowing a strong maturation of these leading Douro varieties. - Miguel Corte-Real, Cockburn's Viticultural & Commercial Director Our blenders have been tasting, categorizing and identifying the wines that might go into the final vintage blend for the best part of two years now. Only after the most rigorous selection was the final decision taken; it's been a long, focused, process. This wine is intensely purple in color, with aromas of blackberries and mature plums; full and firm on palate, with a long fruity finish resonating with chocolate overtones. Try with a Stilton Blue and hazelnuts - Jim Reader, Cockburn's Head of Wine Making and General Manager
Dessert, Fortified & Fruit Wine by Chambers Rosewood from Victoria, Australia. My notes essentially read the same every year, even though the bottlings are non-vintage and I taste the most recent releases. Consistency and greatness are the norm at this Rutherglen winery. The average age is 7-10 years for the regular cuvees, about 70 years for the grand cuvees, and the ancient rare cuvees date back to soleras from 1890. It is redundant to keep repeating the same tasting notes, so readers will have to take my word for it. this is one of the world's most remarkable dessert wines, and is worth every effort to latch on to a half bottle or so. - Wine Advocate
Dessert, Fortified & Fruit Wine by Dow's from Portugal. These wines come from the same vineyards that, in a year when a Vintage is declared, produce Vintage Port. However, as they are bottled between the fourth and sixth year after the harvest, they mature more quickly and are ready to drink much sooner. Dow's LBV is a full rich Port with spicy ripe fruit flavors and an elegant aromatic nose. Well rounded on the palate and has the traditional Dow's drier finish.
Dessert, Fortified & Fruit Wine by Ch. Coutet from Sauternes and Barsac, France - Bordeaux. Spice, dried pineapple, honey and light apricot aromas, like freshly crushed grapes. Full-bodied and very sweet, with masses of crushed fruit character and a long finish. Best after 2010. -Wine Spectator Medium yellow. Deeply pitched aromas of honey, orange and fresh apricot, with a suggestion of candied sweetness and some spicy oak. Rich, sweet and wonderfully pure, with a nectar-like quality to its flavors of overripe peach, orange and spices. Plenty of botrytis character here. This boasts an exhilarating chewy texture and superb aromatic persistence. Today this is a fruit bomb, but it's still an infant. Its superb inner-palate energy suggests that it will evolve very slowly and last well. Promises to be a great vintage for this chateau. -International Wine Cellar 91-94
Dessert, Fortified & Fruit Wine by Jaboulet from Rhone, France - Rhone. Crystal clear color with golden reflections. Exceptionally intense bouquet, with aromas of peach, grape, apricot, mango and lychee. Full, velvety, sweet. Perfect balance between sugar-alcohol-acidity. Gives the impression of biting into a freshly picked Muscat grape. Food pairings: Foie gras, desserts
Dessert, Fortified & Fruit Wine by Osborne from Spain. Made from the grape of the same name, this is desert in a glass! Deep dark rich color with a sweet nose and long lingering sweet finish. Try this aged wine with a blue veined cheese, some toasted almonds or over vanilla ice cream.
Dessert, Fortified & Fruit Wine by Sandeman from Portugal. Sandeman Fine Rich Madeira is made in the traditional manner on the Atlantic island of Madeira. The rich soil and volcanic subsoil give this wine a unique character which is enhanced by the winemaking and ageing in estufas. It is rich, well balanced and a good accompaniment to many rich dishes and desserts (such as chocolate). It is also an essential ingredient in classic cuisine. Medium dark amber colour with pronounced golden highlights. Clean nutty aromas, light complexity and very agreeable. Brilliant wine - a good quality young Madeira in evolution. Medium rich flavour, nutty and slighty complex, with a good clean finish. The rich character of Sandeman Fine Rich Madeira make it a perfect match for many rich appetisers, as well as desserts with strong flavours - like bitter chocolate. It is also a respected ingredient in classic high quality cuisine and adds a unique touch of flavour to any dish. Once open Sandeman Fine Rich Madeira can remain fresh for up to 4 - 8 weeks.
Dessert, Fortified & Fruit Wine by Leacock's from Portugal. Clear, amber colour with golden highlights. A complex and intense aroma of dried fruits (fig, prunes, almonds), toffee and vanilla-spice. Medium sweet, smooth, soft fruit, balanced by a strong backbone of citrus acidity and a luxurious, long finish. Leacock's 10 year old Bual is fined and does not require decanting. It is excellent as an after dinner drink and also very good with fruit, chocolate, cakes and hard cheeses. It has been bottled when ready for drinking and will keep for several months after opening.
Dessert, Fortified & Fruit Wine by Hidalgo from Spain. An elegant Cream, resulting from its base of fine old oloroso and just a touch of Napoleon Amontillado, only moderatly sweetened.
Dessert, Fortified & Fruit Wine by Blandy's from Portugal. Best served chilled as an aperitif, this dry Madeira has soft fruit with a hint of nuttiness and a clean, crisp finish.
Dessert, Fortified & Fruit Wine by Coppo from Piedmont, Italy. Made from 100% Moscato d'Asti grown in hillside vineyards and harvested in mid-September. The must is fermented in tank until the wine has reached 5.5% alcohol. Aging is minimal, resulting in a bright yellow wine with pale highlights and a fine perlage. The bouquet is refreshing and delicate with aromas of peach, pear and the characteristic fragrance of Moscato. Moncalvina is an elegant, slightly sweet and sparkling wine.
Dessert, Fortified & Fruit Wine by Warres from Portugal. An outstanding wine that epitomizes everything that is great about a superbly balanced Twenty Year Old Tawny; the translucent copper colored tone of the wine is matched by the beautiful soft nutty aromas gained by a full twenty years ageing in seasoned oak casks. Otima 20 Years is rich and delicate, but never cloying; the tannins and acidity ensure balance and perfect length.
Dessert, Fortified & Fruit Wine by Graham's from Portugal. A classic growing season produced grapes in quite superb condition. It soon became apparent during the vintage that the wines would be exceptional. This initial assessment has been borne out by their development in bottle; the wines showing Graham's characteristic richness, depth or flavor and concentration. Huge ageing potential. A classic.
Dessert, Fortified & Fruit Wine by Sandeman from Spain. Sandeman Armada Rich Cream is a premium quality Oloroso Sherry. Careful ageing for more than seven years in the ancient Solera develops its complexity and roundness. A small amount of very rich Pedro Ximenez Sherry, made from sun dried grapes, is blended in to create a rich but complex combination. Dark mahogany color, with highlights of old gold. Very deep and complex Oloroso characteristics are offset by the richness and personality of Pedro Ximenez. Full-bodied, well balanced with a very smooth and velvety long aftertaste. A good match to rich desserts, accompanying cakes, ice creams, chocolate or even blue cheese. Once open, Sandeman Armada Rich Cream Oloroso will remain fresh for up to 4 - 8 weeks.
