The 1997 Cape Vintage Reserve Port has a saturated dark ruby color with hints of amber on the edge. It has an awesome, creamy, sweet, red/black cherry fruit, and mocha-scented nose. Its profound personality reveals plums, prunes, cherries, and pipe tobacco flavors that coat the taster's palate.It is well-balanced, softly textured, and intensely ripe. It is seamless, having none of the alcoholic disjointedness often found in young ports. It also possesses an awesomely long, harmonious finish.Ken Onish, this wine's importer, says that he has tasted South African ports back to the forties, and classifies this nation as "the sleeping giant of fortified wine." He attributes some of South Africa's success in this field to the fact that wineries are allowed to make their own grape alcohol, whereas in Europe it must be purchased from state-run distilleries. Anticipated maturity: now-2025+. Importer: Southern Starz, Huntington Beach, CA; Tel. (800) 504-9463.