St. Barthelemy 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon Port

Very unusual port! I don’t know if it is fair to compare this wine to the traditional ports that are out there as it is very strange. We didn’t know what to expect when trying this cabernet sauvignon port. We are big cabernet and port fans alike, so the thought of combining the two seemed like it would be spectacular!

*Straight out of the bottle: This wine had strange notes on the palate that were very difficult to describe and distinguish. The one flavor that really shone through above all the rest was a strong essence of black tea. This port wasn’t really that sweet, nor was it overtly dry. The texture was smooth and consistent throughout; not like some ports that start with an intense bang of flavors and finish smooth, leaving you craving for more. We also didn’t get an overpoweringly taste of alcohol, seeing as this port is 18.5%. More than anything that seemed to distract from everything else was the very unusual tea flavor.

Raw Score: 70                                                                                                                    Handicap Score (Compared to other wines and varietals in its price range $20): 70