JEFF’S FREQUENT USE OF THE CURVEBALL (ONE OF MY RARE BASEBALL ANALOGIES)

Back on Wednesday, our good friend and Vintner Select sales manager Jeff came by with some ports and a very unusual Chilean white wine:

Cucao Pedro Ximenez Elqui Valley 2009. Grade=Outstanding. Usually, when you think of PX, you think Spain, and you almost certainly envision something sweet. One big mindf… this light-bodied, quite dry white wine shows off some cool lime zest, chayote, lemongrass, verbena and white tea notes. Finishes with a lot of lively acidity.

Kopke White Port NV. Grade=Outstanding+. Slightly dry, this is a great introduction to white port, perfect for patio sipping. Not cloying, this medium-bodied wine displays nice notes of stone fruit, chalk, and hints of lime.

Kopke Fine Ruby Port NV. Grade=Outstanding. Young, juicy red fruits in a sweet jam context, with a slight hint of peppery spice, red and black raspberries, cinnamon dust, and chocolate ganache.

Kopke 10 Year Tawny Port. Grade=Outstanding+. Delicious notes of caramel, toffee, milk chocolate, vanillin oak, coffee, baking spices and mocha. Has a beautifully creamy finish.

Kopke Late-Bottled Vintage Port 2001. Grade=Outstanding+. Rich, dense, with some dark berries, chocolate, baking spices, vanilla and cocoa bean, dark plums, and brownies smothered in raspberry and blackberry coulis. Pretty tasty.