Verema

The Wine Journal

Christian Seely's own property. Even more opaque than the Silval, this has a very expressive nose with blackberry, liquorices, a touch of fruitcake and freshly tilled soil. Good definition. The palate has wonderful concentration, with an almost viscous texture, good acidity cutting through those layers of rich black, saturated fruit, leading to a honeyed, svelte finish that caresses the mouth like Fonseca. Superb.

Jamie Goode

Fantastically focused dark spicy nose with amazing floral aromatics, and blackberry and blackcurrant fruit. The palate is dense with focused dark fruit. Complex with notes of olive and spice, as well as complex herby notes. Delicious, pure and vinous. 95/100

James Suckling

Violets and hits of orange peel and chocolate. Medium-bodied and medium-sweet with freshness and balance. Like the harmony in this. Lovely now.

wine-pages.com

More weight and flesh on this than the 2008, with a dark and deep nose of black fruits with a lovely twist of herbs and smoky, mineral character coming though. On the palate this has weight and density of fruit and tannins, a great tangy, plum-skin grip and richness, though that fine edge of acidity and freshness still cuts through, and some of Romaneira’s crisp, more floral charm.

Vinhulen.dk

Violet. Sødmefuld næse med mørke kirsebær, friske toner, rosin, ymer og lakrids. Meget venlig næse. Smagen er sødmefuld og fed med kirsebær, krydderi og virkelig fin balance. Rund og fed helt ud i spids med fine tanniner. En rigtig flot vintage!

Dorthe Kristine

Portvin med lidt mere pondus – og 2007 har haft tid til at udvikle sig. Forvent mørke bær, modne blommer, chokolade og varme krydderier pakket ind i en intens, fyldig stil med sødme og struktur. Det her er ikke bare noget, man lige hælder i glasset til fredagsslikket. Det er portvin til at sætte tempoet ned og nyde i små slurke. Perfekt til blåskimmelost, mørk chokolade eller som afslutning på en god middag.

En flaske til de aftener, der fortjener lidt ekstra.

For The Love Of Port

The wine division of AXA’s Managing Director Christian Seely purchased the 400 hectare property in 2004 and took the 40 hectares that were in disrepair and slowly but surely has been renovating the vineyards and now there are currently 80 hectares planted, along with fixing up the four lagares and of course, there was an amazing hotel built on the property. Focused on this 2007 Vintage Port, I obtained a sample bottle and spent four days evaluating it. The tasting note that follows is from this sampling, but a brief mention -- just after the harvest concluded this year, I visited the Quinta and was fortunate to try this fine VP again to see how it had evolved (more in a moment). But first, back to the TN. Lively but dark fruit aromas of smoky prune and black cherries with a floral element of dried rose petal provided a wonderful bouquet. Rich, nearly full-bodied in weight, soft and ultimately approachable, this is a fruit driven Port with enough crisp acidity and prominent, yet resolved tannins that will provide the ability to age for up to two decades. Soft, macerated Morello cherry and smoky plums deliver sweet fruit flavors in a balanced and sensuous package, fleshy and with bold flavors. This doesn’t seem to have the stuffing for the long haul; nonetheless, it is packed with delicious juice that’s quite easy to enjoy right now. Back to our visit, (to Romaneira) -- when trying this VP six weeks ago, it had fleshed out nicely and was every bit as good as the bottle I spent four days with. It is very solid and provided another data point (and a consistent one). As the vineyards continue being redeveloped and gain some further vine age, this property is going to be one to keep an eye on. 92-94+ points

Jancis Robinson

Cherry drops, muscovado, black plum, bramble and morello cherry syrup.

Revista de Vinhos

Compact and intense on the nose, with notes of rockrose and abundant ripe fruit. Full of fine tannins, combining power and elegance in a strong, sophisticated style. Finesse meets sculpted muscle. An excellent Vintage Port.