The first hit is sweetness, followed by nearly overwhelming grape. The palate is fairly well-developed but wider than it is deep. The sweetness is immense with a palate similar to grenache grape. The body is thick, almost liqueurish. The finish is distinctly grape jam. I usually dislike jammy wines, but I am more forgiving with a port.

I drank this with stilton, crackers, and walnuts; that is, ideal circumstances. This wine almost fits in but not quite; the sweetness is a bit too cloying. A better fit would have earned it a higher mark. All in all quite pleasurable, and well worth $15 for a bottle. [February 2000]