Sandeman Vau Vintage 1997 | 1.5 L.

ST88 Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar May/Jun 2000

"Bright ruby. Fruity, ripe aromas of black cherry, blackberry and maple syrup. Not especially fleshy or sweet but juicy and intensely flavored, with notes of smoke, chocolate and orange peel. Finishes with lovely freshness and sneaky length. Shows modest structure for aging but this stylish wine offers considerable early appeal." (88 pts.)

WS88 Wine & Spirits April 1, 2000

"George Sandeman created Vau Vintage as a new idea for a secondary declaration. It is not tied directly to a quinta’s production, as is now required for single quinta wines. Instead, it is blended from the best lots available in that vintage, but made for earlier consumption than a classic, more weighty and structured vintage would be (one simply labeled “Sandeman”). This ’97 is simple and direct, its primary black fruit chewy and unevolved. The flavor continues in a straight line, lasting and balanced. Drinkable early as a young, fruity wine, this will probably be at its best when the fruit has evolved, around 2007 to 2012." (88 pts.)

SP92 Wine Spectator Feb 29, 2000

"Dark purple in color, with wonderful violet, berry and cherry aromas. Full-bodied, medium-sweet, with a solid core of fruit and tannins. Long finish. Subtle. Best Sandeman since the 1960s. Best after 2008." (92 pts.)

WE93 Wine Enthusiast 12/15/1999

"Perhaps the major surprise is that one of the top wines is a single quinta Port from Sandeman, a house that, after a fairly lean period, is reaffirming its commitment to vintage Port. This is luscious, rich, almost creamy in texture, with piles of black fruit, lavender and spice." (93 pts.)

SP91 Wine Spectator Web only – 2017

"Showing some maturity now, with rum raisin, toffee and buckwheat hints along the edges, while the core maintains a gentle feel of mulled plum and blackberry fruit. Reveals a touch of cinnamon on the soft-edged finish. Approachable now, in an elegant style. — 1997 Vintage Port retrospective (January 2017). Drink now through 2026. 25,200 cases made." (91 pts.)