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Porto Solene

Porto Solene is the brainchild of Cristóvão de Oliveira e Sousa, managing director of Wine Cluster, in combination with Port producer Poças Junior. There are two wines in the range, both non-vintage; a ruby and a tawny. Clearly these have been well sourced, being excellent examples of their respective styles. The packaging is also worthy of comment - these come in stylish, clear, square-shouldered 50cl bottles - with the intention of bringing these wines to an audience that wouldn't normally choose Port.

Both the Special Reserve Tawny and Special Reserve Ruby are blends of Tinto Nac, Tinto Franca, Tinto Roriz, Tinto Barroca and Tinto Cao which have undergone temperature controlled fermentation before bottling in July 2004. There are 50 000 bottles of each (49 999 now, I suppose!). These are good wines in their own right - I particularly thought the tawny to be worth a punt; at the right price they should fly off the shelves. (17/2/05)

Porto Solene - Tasting Notes

Tasted in February 2005. Click for stockists:

Porto Solene Tawny Special Reserve NV: A rich and appealing colour, with more depth than many other tawnies. And a good nose too; appealingly woody and musky, with the 'Douro bake' that characterises this style of wine. Lovely weight; a mouth-filling, creamy texture with plenty of grip. Full, flavoursome, nicely balanced midpalate. There's more interest on the finish, which has a delicate, woody, floral perfume. Plenty of interest here. Really impressive; a top tawny indeed. 17/20

Porto Solene Ruby Special Reserve NV: A great, dark, purple hue. Spices and orange oil, dark fruits, perfumed alcohol and menthol; such a captivating nose on a ruby is rarely experienced. Medium body, but rich with sweet texture and a wealth of spicy black fruit. Ripe, supple tannins, full and creamy. For a ruby this is very good indeed, and knocks spots off other examples of this style I have tasted. 16/20

Porto Solene

Porto Solene - Tasting Notes

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