Pintas Vintage Port Porto 2011 Wine & Soul

Professionele reviews

Robert Parker (95)

The 2011 Pintas Vintage Port, part of our vertical this issue, is a field blend from very old vines (some 80 years or so) coming in at 112 grams per liter of residual sugar. Along the lines of the 2007 in structure, this young 2011 is powerful and forbidding on opening but perhaps not quite as concentrated. It does have a fruitier and cleaner feel, with some blackberries on the finish, but it was very hard to read early on. Silky in texture and a bit light in the mid-palate, it was mostly impressive for its structure. It showed off a little eucalyptus, a hint of herbs and resin. It needed more time, to be sure, and the next day (after re-corking and refrigeration) it was notably better but still a bit boring for a 2011. Finally, on the third day open, it exploded. The power had not lessened—if anything, it had intensified. This finished with drying tannins. However, it seemed to pick up weight and it was increasingly intriguing. Considering how mediocre this was on opening, at least in the context of the vintage, I was rather shocked that it showed this well on the third day tasted. Was there some potential here for greatness? I think that remains to be seen, as this has closed down hard. It seems very old-school. I would like to see more expressive fruit at some point but it is very promising. This exercise does show, though, the danger of going too quickly with Port (in particular)—not that everyone can always spend three days on every wine. This is going to be a long-haul wine and it really needs a decade more of cellaring at least.

Winespectator (94)

Plush, rich and concentrated, with firm minerality to the dark cherry, wild plum and dark chocolate flavors that are crisp and filled with juicy acidity. Shows good grip on the intense finish.

Jancis Robinson (17)

Very deep, luminous purple. Scented and floral – surely has quite a high Touriga Nacional component? Very neat. Almost more like fortified table wine than a port. Refined but a teensy bit timid. (JR)

Wine Enthusiast (96)

Ripe and sumptuous, this is a richly tannic wine, impressive for its weight and power. It has a very dry core, hard and solid at present, while the fruit is concentrated ripe berries and plums. This seems like it will age for decades.