United States, Stephen and Walker, California, Portentous, 2004, 20%

This is certainly a delicious port style wine. Made from 65% Tinta Cao, 32% Touriga Nacional, and 3% Mourvedre, Stephen and Walker's Portentous is delicious. The wine has a luscious purple color with a addicting nose of blackberry jam, chocolate, vanilla, and cinnamon. On the palate the wine is sweet (characteristic of a dessert wine), smooth, and well rounded. The in-mouth flavors are pleasant with dried plums, figs, and cooked berries standing out. Pair this wine with rich chocolate desserts and you will experience perfection.

Price: $60

What is Port?

• Port is from Portugal, Spain and is one of the most delicious and rich dessert wines available. Traditionally, "red" Port comes in three styles: Ruby, Tawny, and Vintage. Both Ruby and Tawny have been oaked, fortified, fined, and oxidized. Because of the oxidization, both Ruby and Tawny ports can remain open for up to four months (unlike traditional wine which must be consumed in approximately two days once opened). Vintage Port, however, is not oxidized and thus must be consumed in a timely manner (2 days).
• Traditionally, Port can be made out of 80 different grapes.
• Broad attributes:
• Ruby Port
• Common flavors: plum, cherry, cooked berries
• Common color: Maroon 
• Food pairing: milk chocolate
• Tawny Port
• Common flavors: caramel, butterscotch 
• Common color: Amber
• Food pairing: custards, cigars
• Vintage Port
• Common flavors: fresh fruit (dark fruits)
• Common color: Ruby
• Food pairing: big cheeses (such as Stilton)
• There is also White Port, which is often served over ice.