Starboard Batch 88, Quady Winery, California

Tasting Note

Rich and spicy, port-like wine with luscious ripe blackberry, raisin and chocolate truffle flavours on the palate and a fine acidity and soft tannins.

Producer Note

Andrew Quady's change of career from making fireworks to making wine produced an explosion of its own kind when he created Essensia from the Orange Muscat grape. It was an instant success and until 1985 he could not make enough to satisfy demand. Now Quady is the foremost American winery specialising entirely in dessert wines and continues to win medals worldwide. In 1975 Quady's first port-like wine was made from Amador County Zinfandel. Now it is made from traditional Portuguese varietals such as Tinta Roriz and Tinta Cao.

Winemaking

Made by the same method used to produce port in the Douro Valley . Several different vintages are used in this blend, which has an average age of around 5 years. However, only the best wines from the best vintages are used. Stylistically it sits between a ruby and a tawny port. Maturation in bottle retains the fruit flavours better than bottle ageing. The first year this wine was made was 1988.

Serving Suggestion

Ideal at the end of a meal with a cheese board or chocolate dessert.

Grape

Tinta Roriz 75%, Tinta Cao 15%, Tinta Amarela 10%