It’s important to remember when drinking a wine like this Kent Rasmussen Esoterica 2008 Vermelho Forte 3-Pack of 500 ml Bottles that it’s not a port. Sure, it’s a fortified wine just like Port. Sure, it’s got a big grape flavor with lots of tannins working their way around your palate, similar to Port. And yes, it’s a great way to wind down at the end of the night, just like a glass of Port.
But it’s not Port. See, the EU and US have this agreement that nothing from the states can call itself “Port.” So it’s not. Get it? Yeah, us either.
But think of it this way: it’s protecting Europe’s investment in Portugal, since now that you can’t get the “real deal” stateside you’ll obviously just head across the Atlantic to get your fix.
Who says politics aren’t productive?
2008 Vermelho Forte
Chemistry at Bottling:
This wine is a classic "vintage port" type of port (ie., not ruby). Flavors are rich and complex with lots of anise and brambleberry in both the mouth and the nose. Additionally, in the mouth are great notes of sour cherry and vanilla from the oak. The nicest thing about this wine is that it is wonderfully "round" in the mouth.....just perfectly balanced between acidity and alcohol and tannins and sweetness. Both varietals show through both distinctly and in complement to each other....the Touriga adding fruit and structure and the Tinta Madera adding body and richness.
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