V. Sattui 1998 Vintage Port - Review

California

Our Selection for Wine of the Week March 11, 2013

V. Sattui was founded in the late 1800s by Italian immigrant Vittorio Sattui. Originally, Sattui's winery was located in San Francisco's Mission District, though it was using Napa Valley grapes in its blends. Thanks to Prohibition, the winery went dormant for over 60 years until Dario Sattui reestablished his great-grandfather's winery in the heart of the Napa Valley. Today the family venture is among Napa's most successful. The 1998 Vintage Port is a very limited bottling — only 978 cases were produced. It is a Port-style wine made in the traditional manner from a not-so-traditional blend of grapes: Tinca Cão, Souzão, Touriga Nacional and Zinfandel. On the nose it offers notes of caramel and black cherry. On the palate, its bright acidity keeps the sweetness and alcohol in balance. An intense blend of flavors includes blackberry, cherry, hints of espresso and chocolate syrup with a nice, acidic bite of orange. The cherry note becomes faintly medicinal near the back of the palate but it quickly evolves to espresso, vanilla and caramel on the finish. A fairly rich drink, it would pair nicely with simple desserts like a caramel custard, hazelnut biscotti or a blackberry and citrus shortcake. Food and Wine Pairing

V. Sattui 1998 Vintage Port

Varietals: Tinca Cão, Souzão, Touriga Nacional & Zinfandel
Rating: 14.5/20
Price: $47

Other Ports we have tasted
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For more information, see our V. Sattui Winery profile

See also:
Tasting Notes on V. Sattui 2009 Cuvée Prestige

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(Updated: 03/11/13 BH)