Vintage Port 1996
| Vintage | Rating | Broad-
bent | Suckling | Declared houses | Known brands | Comment |
|---|
| 1996 | Good to Very good | 3 | | 38 | 42 | |
| House | Barao de Vilar | Vintage | 1996 |
| Colour | Still dark blue in colour. | Number of tastings | 4 |
| Bouquet | Dark cherry, violet, apricot and dark berry in the nose. | Score range | 15.25 - 16.50 |
| Taste | Medium body. Quite immature with some soft tannin. Balanced and quite complex. Easy to drink and like. An elegant port with violet and dark cherry in taste and a very attractive and long finish. Will probably even be better. | Average score | 15.88 |
| Last tasted | 15th April 2015 | Point this date | 16.50 |
| Comment | At the Danish Port Wine Club est. 1981 tasting in Copenhagen, Denmark.
1 bottle has been corked.
| Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Barros | Vintage | 1996 |
| Colour | Yellow mature quite beautiful in colour. | Number of tastings | 2 |
| Bouquet | Dark chocolate, cacao, minty and some roasted coffee in the nose. | Score range | 16.00 - 16.25 |
| Taste | Medium body. Mature and peaking. Balanced and rather elegant with cacao, some mint and dark chocolate in taste. Easy to enjoy and with a nice, very tasty finish. | Average score | 16.13 |
| Last tasted | 31st March 2022 | Point this date | 16.00 |
| Comment | Tasted at the Big Fortified Tasting in London, Great Britain
| Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Fonseca-Guimaraens | Vintage | 1996 |
| Colour | Still quite dark but beautiful mature in colour. | Number of tastings | 8 |
| Bouquet | Liquorice, Christmas spiciness, cream candy, cinnamon, cacao, coffee and ginger in the nose. | Score range | 15.50 - 16.25 |
| Taste | Medium bodied. Rather mature but with some very soft and delicate tannins and will be better. Very tasty with lots of spiciness and herbs in taste. Elegant and a balanced port with a long, quite complex and attractive finish. | Average score | 16.06 |
| Last tasted | 16th July 2021 | Point this date | 15.90 |
| Comment | At home with the family.
In 2015 this vintage took part in a Great Tasting in the Wine Society 18%. For points and ranking see Great Tastings. | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Graham- Malvedos | Vintage | 1996 |
| Colour | Still very dark but with a yellow mature edge in colour. | Number of tastings | 9 |
| Bouquet | Toffee, sweet liquorice, fudge, vanilla, some cacao but also French plum in the nose. | Score range | 15.25 - 16.25 |
| Taste | Medium body. Quite mature but with still some soft tannins. French plum, toffee, liquorice and vanilla in taste. Balanced and complex with a rather long and elegant finish. Very easy to drink and enjoy today. | Average score | 15.79 |
| Last tasted | 22nd November 2020 | Point this date | 16.00 |
| Comment | At home with the family.
| Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Kopke | Vintage | 1996 |
| Colour | Still very dark in colour with a yellow edge. | Number of tastings | 5 |
| Bouquet | Toffee, fudge, chocolate and lots of cacao in the nose. | Score range | 15.50 - 15.90 |
| Taste | Medium body. Quite mature and almost peaking but will develop due to some elegant and attractive, round tannin. Balanced with toffee, cacao and chocolate in taste. Very easy to drink and enjoy today with a lovely, quite long and promising finish. | Average score | 15.71 |
| Last tasted | 27th August 2022 | Point this date | 15.75 |
| Comment | Tasted at home with the family.
| Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Madalena
Smith - Woodhouse | Vintage | 1996 |
| Colour | Still quite dark ruby but mature garnet rim in colour. | Number of tastings | 8 |
| Bouquet | Coffee, dark chocolate, cacao, cream candy, some herbs and old grocery shop in the nose. | Score range | 15.90 - 16.40 |
| Taste | Medium body. Mature, peaking and on top. Coffee, candy, chocolate and cacao in taste but also with some herbs. Balanced and elegant with an attractive and quite long finish. | Average score | 16.16 |
| Last tasted | 13th July 2024 | Point this date | 16.40 |
| Comment | Tasted at home with the family.
1 bottle has not been good (unclean barrels).
| Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Maynard | Vintage | 1996 |
| Colour | Still very dark blue, almost black in colour. | Number of tastings | 1 |
| Bouquet | Fruit and dark berry in the nose. | Score range | |
| Taste | Medium body. Very fruity in flavour. Still a lot of soft tannin but sweet and easy to drink and like. A modern port with an attractive and quite long finish | Average score | |
| Last tasted | 15th December 2011 | Point this date | 15.50 |
| Comment | At the Wine Society 18% tasting in Malmö.
| Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Pocas Jr | Vintage | 1996 |
| Colour | Still quite dark but rather mature yellow in colour. | Number of tastings | 5 |
| Bouquet | Cacao, soft oak notes, toffee, crème caramel and old grocery shop in the nose. | Score range | 16.00 - 16.40 |
| Taste | Medium body. Quite mature and almost peaking. Quite sweet. Candy, toffee and cacao in taste. Quite complex and attractive with a nice finish. Very easy to drink and like. | Average score | 16.23 |
| Last tasted | 30th July 2020 | Point this date | 16.00 |
| Comment | Tasted at home with the family.
| Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Quinta da Agua Alta
Churchill | Vintage | 1996 |
| Colour | Mature yellow in colour. | Number of tastings | 2 |
| Bouquet | The first hint was quite okay with liquorice and salmiak but a rapid smell of old hospital, pharmacy and volatile acidity came soon in the nose. | Score range | 14.00 - 14.00 |
| Taste | Medium bodied. Unbalanced with some volatile acidity but still drinkable and rather enjoyable with a quite nice finish. | Average score | |
| Last tasted | 12th July 2019 | Point this date | 14.00 |
| Comment | At home with the family.
This bottle was not quite OK.
| Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Quinta da Cavadinha
Warre | Vintage | 1996 |
| Colour | Yellow and quite mature in colour. | Number of tastings | 2 |
| Bouquet | Coffee, cacao, oranges, mulberry and old grocery shop in the nose. | Score range | 15.50 - 16.40 |
| Taste | Almost full-bodied. Mature but still some very sift tannin. Cacao and oranges in taste. Elegant and balanced with a sweet and attractive finish. | Average score | 15.95 |
| Last tasted | 13th September 2014 | Point this date | 16.40 |
| Comment | In Graham’s lodge in Oporto at the trip to Oporto – Duoro with the Port Wine Club est. 1981 in Copenhagen.
| Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Quinta da Foz
Calem | Vintage | 1996 |
| Colour | Yellow mature in colour. | Number of tastings | 2 |
| Bouquet | Gingerbread, ginger and some spiciness in the nose. | Score range | 15.40 - 15.50 |
| Taste | Medium body. Mature and peaking. Balanced with gingerbread, and some spiciness in taste. Will probably not be better. Quite nice finish and easy to drink and like. | Average score | 15.45 |
| Last tasted | 19th November 2016 | Point this date | 15.50 |
| Comment | At the Calem tasting in Leverkusen.
In 2016 this vintage took part in a Great Tasting in Germany. For points and ranking see Great Tastings. | Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Quinta da Romaneira | Vintage | 1996 |
| Colour | Still rather dark but yellow mature in colour. | Number of tastings | 8 |
| Bouquet | Some toffee, fudge but also chocolate and dark berry in the nose. | Score range | 14.00 - 16.00 |
| Taste | Medium body. Mature but still with some light tannins and will probably not be better. Elegant and rather complex. Easy to like and drink and with a quite attractive finish. | Average score | 14.59 |
| Last tasted | 16th June 2019 | Point this date | 16.00 |
| Comment | Tasted at home with the family.
| Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Quinta de la Rosa | Vintage | 1996 |
| Colour | Still very dark but yellow mature in colour. | Number of tastings | 7 |
| Bouquet | Herbs, sweet liquorice, some mulberry, cacao, dark chocolate and cinnamon in the nose. | Score range | 15.75 - 16.25 |
| Taste | Medium body. Mature and almost peaking but with some elegant tannin and will probably be better. Sweet liquorice, cacao and dark chocolate in flavour. Quite attractive and sweet with an impressive finish and as always easy very enjoyable. | Average score | 15.95 |
| Last tasted | 5th January 2022 | Point this date | 16.25 |
| Comment | At home with the family.
| Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Quinta de Terra Feita
Taylor | Vintage | 1996 |
| Colour | Still dark but yellow and mature rim in colour. | Number of tastings | 4 |
| Bouquet | Liquorice, candy, oranges, mulberry, vanilla and crème caramel in the nose. | Score range | 15.90 - 16.40 |
| Taste | Lovely body. Rather mature but still some soft and delicate tannin and will probably better. Liquorice, candy, vanilla and crème caramel in taste. Easy to drink and like. Balanced, elegant and quite complex with a quite long and very attractive finish. | Average score | 16.05 |
| Last tasted | 4th December 2023 | Point this date | 16.00 |
| Comment | Tasted at the Wine Society 18% tasting in Malmö.
| Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Quinta de Vargellas
Taylor | Vintage | 1996 |
| Colour | Dark blue almost still black in colour. | Number of tastings | 5 |
| Bouquet | Mulberry, cacao, liquorice and dark cherry in the nose. | Score range | 15.75 - 16.00 |
| Taste | Quite full-bodied. Loaded with fruit. Still quite immature and soft tannin. Balanced an complex with mulberry and liquorice in flavour and an very attractive finish. What will be of this port? | Average score | 15.83 |
| Last tasted | 15th April 2015 | Point this date | 15.90 |
| Comment | At the Danish Port Wine Club est. 1981 tasting in Copenhagen, Denmark.
| Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Quinta do Bomfim
Dow | Vintage | 1996 |
| Colour | Very dark blue with a little yellow rim. | Number of tastings | 2 |
| Bouquet | Coffee, cacao and old grocery shop in the nose. | Score range | 15.50 - 15.75 |
| Taste | Rather full-bodied. Still a bit immature and some tannin but balanced and complex with a promising finish. | Average score | 15.63 |
| Last tasted | 10th September 2009 | Point this date | 15.75 |
| Comment | At a trip to New York.
| Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Quinta do Castelinho | Vintage | 1996 |
| Colour | Still very dark in colour with a yellow rim. | Number of tastings | 3 |
| Bouquet | Dark chocolate cream candy, candy, sweetmeats and cacao in the nose. Rather complex and quite attractive. | Score range | 15.90 - 16.00 |
| Taste | Medium body. Still some tannins and will be better. Balanced and very attractive taste of cream candy, candy and chocolate. Quite long and very attractive finish. | Average score | 15.96 |
| Last tasted | 25th July 2019 | Point this date | 16.00 |
| Comment | At home with the family.
| Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Quinta do Estanho | Vintage | 1996 |
| Colour | Still dark but quite yellow mature in colour. | Number of tastings | 1 |
| Bouquet | Dark berry and cherry in the nose. | Score range | 15.75 - 15.75 |
| Taste | Medium body. Fruit and dark berry in flavour. Balanced and tasty with a quite elegant and interesting finish. | Average score | |
| Last tasted | 4th November 2013 | Point this date | 15.75 |
| Comment | At the Port Wine Festival in Copenhagen
| Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Quinta do Noval Nacional | Vintage | 1996 |
| Colour | Dark blue in colour. | Number of tastings | 1 |
| Bouquet | Black pepper, coffee and cacao in the nose. | Score range | 16.75 - 16.75 |
| Taste | Full-bodied. Immature and loaded with fruit. Full of tannins and hard to swallow. Wonderful, complex and long finish. Will be marvellous we believe. | Average score | |
| Last tasted | 17th January 2002 | Point this date | 16.75 |
| Comment | At the Wine Society 18% tasting in Malmö.
| Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Quinta do Panascal
Fonseca-Guimaraens | Vintage | 1996 |
| Colour | Rather dark but yellow mature in colour. | Number of tastings | 6 |
| Bouquet | Liquorice, toffee, crème caramel, candy and some herbs in the nose. | Score range | 15.40 - 16.00 |
| Taste | Medium body. Sweet. Mature and peaking but with some soft and elegant tannin and will probably not be much better. Very tasty with toffee, candy and liquorice in the mouth. Balanced and quite complex with a long and very attractive finish. Very easy to drink and enjoy | Average score | 15.65 |
| Last tasted | 16th February 2023 | Point this date | 16.00 |
| Comment | At the Wine Society 18% tasting in Malmö.
| Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Quinta do Passadouro | Vintage | 1996 |
| Colour | Yellow mature in colour. | Number of tastings | 1 |
| Bouquet | Mint, cream-candy, burned candy and crème caramel and some liquorice and cacao also in the nose. | Score range | 16.25 - 16.25 |
| Taste | Medium body. Mature but unbalanced with some alcoholic taste but anyhow elegant and quite good with a nice finish. | Average score | |
| Last tasted | 2nd November 2014 | Point this date | 16.25 |
| Comment | At home with the family.
We believed this was much older and we were disappointed on it when we were told the year.
| Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Quinta do Vesuvio | Vintage | 1996 |
| Colour | Dark blue in colour with a yellow rim. | Number of tastings | 2 |
| Bouquet | Blackberry, dark berry, cherry and some chocolate in the nose. | Score range | 15.50 - 16.00 |
| Taste | Quite full-bodied. Immature and still some soft tannin. Will be better. Mulberry and a hint of pale chocolate in flavour. Lovely and promising finish. Easy to drink and enjoy now but just wait. | Average score | 15.75 |
| Last tasted | 5th March 2015 | Point this date | 16.00 |
| Comment | At the Danish Port Wine Club est. 1981 tasting in Copenhagen, Denmark.
| Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Quinta Dona Matilde
Barros | Vintage | 1996 |
| Colour | Rather dark but yellow mature in colour. | Number of tastings | 1 |
| Bouquet | Candy, coffee, butterscotch and some dark chocolate in the nose. | Score range | 15.90 - 15.90 |
| Taste | Medium body. Mature and peaking but will probably not be better. Quite sweet but balanced and rather attractive in taste with candy, coffee and dark chocolate in the mouth. Very easy to drink and enjoy today with a quite attractive finish. | Average score | |
| Last tasted | 21st May 2021 | Point this date | 15.90 |
| Comment | Tasted at home in Third International Online Vintage Tasting with our German Port Friends from World of Port.
| Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Quinta dos Corvos | Vintage | 1996 |
| Colour | Yellow mature in colour. | Number of tastings | 1 |
| Bouquet | Bitter chocolate, dark berry, blue mature plums and some spiciness in the nose. | Score range | 16.00 - 16.00 |
| Taste | Medium body. Rather mature but will probably be better. Balanced and rather elegant with dark berry and very mature plums in taste. The finish is quite nice and it is easy to enjoy the port. | Average score | |
| Last tasted | 18th June 2018 | Point this date | 16.00 |
| Comment | At Quinta dos Corvos’s lodge in Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal.
| Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Quinta Nova de Nossa Senhora do Carmo
Burmester | Vintage | 1996 |
| Colour | Yellow mature in colour. | Number of tastings | 2 |
| Bouquet | Toffee, fudge, butterscotch some coffee and candy in the nose. | Score range | 15.40 - 15.50 |
| Taste | Medium body. Mature and peaking and will not be better hut very easy to drink and enjoy today. Toffee fudge and candy in taste with a rather long and quite lovely finish | Average score | 15.45 |
| Last tasted | 24th October 2021 | Point this date | 15.50 |
| Comment | Tasted in our Private Wine Club
| Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Quinta Sao Luiz
Kopke | Vintage | 1996 |
| Colour | Dark blue in colour. | Number of tastings | 1 |
| Bouquet | Dark berry, mulberry blue berry and much more in the nose. | Score range | 16.00 - 16.00 |
| Taste | Medium body. Still quite immature with tannin. Sweet and tasty with mulberry in taste. Balanced and elegant port which promise a lot in the future. Lovely finish. | Average score | |
| Last tasted | 14th June 2014 | Point this date | 16.00 |
| Comment | At home with the family
| Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Real Velha | Vintage | 1996 |
| Colour | Still quite dark but yellow mature in colour. | Number of tastings | 1 |
| Bouquet | Toffee, candy, some cacao and coffee in the nose. | Score range | 16.25 - 16.25 |
| Taste | Medium body. Mature and probably peaking with just some very elegant and round tannins. Balanced and quite elegant and tasty with toffee, candy and old grocery shop. A lovely, quite long, rather sweet and very attractive finish. Very easy to enjoy and drink today. | Average score | |
| Last tasted | 5th April 2021 | Point this date | 16.25 |
| Comment | Tasted at home with the family.
| Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Real Vinicola
Real Companhia Velha | Vintage | 1996 |
| Colour | Yellow mature in colour | Number of tastings | 1 |
| Bouquet | Spiciness and herbs in the nose. | Score range | 16.00 - 16.00 |
| Taste | Medium body. Lovely very round tannins and will maybe be better. Balanced very tasty with spiciness and herbs in mouth and with a lovely, quite long and rather attractive finish. Very easy to drink and enjoy. | Average score | |
| Last tasted | 31st October 2021 | Point this date | 16.00 |
| Comment | Tasted at home with the family.
| Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Royal Oporto
Real Companhia Velha | Vintage | 1996 |
| Colour | Still rather dark but yellow mature in colour. | Number of tastings | 1 |
| Bouquet | Candy, spiciness, ginger and gingerbread in the nose. | Score range | 15.75 - 15.75 |
| Taste | Medium body. Rather mature and almost peaking but still with some soft quite delicate tannin and will probably be better. Balanced and quite elegant with ginger and gingerbread in taste and a quite delicate finish. | Average score | |
| Last tasted | 10th June 2018 | Point this date | 15.75 |
| Comment | At home with the family.
| Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Vau
Sandeman | Vintage | 1996 |
| Colour | Still quite dark indeed with just a yellow mature edge. | Number of tastings | 3 |
| Bouquet | Cacao, dark chocolate, still some mulberry and blue berry in the nose. | Score range | 16.40 - 16.40 |
| Taste | Medium body. Still quite a lot of tannins and will improve. Balanced and very complex with a quite long and very attractive finish. A very surprising port for the vintage year indeed. | Average score | |
| Last tasted | 31st October 2021 | Point this date | 16.40 |
| Comment | Tasted at home with the family.
| Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |
| House | Vista Alegre | Vintage | 1996 |
| Colour | Dark blue in colour with a mature yellow rim. | Number of tastings | 4 |
| Bouquet | Dried red fruit, cherry and tobacco in the nose. | Score range | 14.75 - 15.40 |
| Taste | Medium body. Mature and easy to drink. Berry in flavour. Easy to drink and will not be much better. Rather one dimensional but with a nice and rather short finish. | Average score | 14.97 |
| Last tasted | 22nd January 2018 | Point this date | 14.75 |
| Comment | At the Danish Port Wine Club est. 1981 tasting in Copenhagen.
1 bottle has been defect.
| Tasters | SAI, JB, SS |