SWS Port Tasting
Seattle, WA
Tasted Sunday, December 11, 2005 by kris.h with 1,285 views
Introduction
First of all, many thanks to Chuck Miller for hosting this event. I'd also like to thank everyone that participated and for bringing such nice bottles of wine to share. The theme this month was mature vintage port, 1985 and older. Being relatively new to wine collecting I did not have any old bottles of port that met the theme but was able to acquire a bottle of 1970 Dow. For the most part, flights were done in three's and horizontal.
Flight 1 - Two 63's and One 64 (3 Notes)
Overall these wines showed well. The '63 Taylor had a powerful long finish but had noticeably lighter body than the '63 Cockburn and '64 Malvedos. There were no large differences in color but the '64 Malvedos was showing a little more age than the other two. The Cockburn didn't have the intensity of the Taylor but it made up for the lack of intensity with a great mouthfeel and tons of body.
Flight 2 - 1970 Horizontal (3 Notes)
The nose in general of the 70's didn't seem as intense as the 63's. However, these showed better extraction of color.
Flight 3 - 1945 Croft (1 Note)
What a special treat to taste such an old and rare wine. This was subtle and had tons of finesse. My first time tasting such an old port and I hope it isn't my last.
Flight 4 - Dissapointing 77's (4 Notes)
None of these wines were showing as well as they should have. It was rather surprising to come across three corked bottles in one night and two of the corked bottles were in this flight. The 1977 Sandeman wasn't even poured from the decanter as it was so badly corked.
Flight 5 - 1977 Horizontal Round Two (3 Notes)
This flight of 77's showed a little better than the previous but not much. I was very sad that the 1977 Taylor was corked because that is one of my first experiences with vintage port and what turned me on to the stuff. Tonight the 1977 Fonseca was clearly the best of the 77's tasted but I was surprised to see how much age it was showing. It was only a little darker than the 1945 Croft.
Flight 6 - Madeira (1 Note)
Madeira is amazing stuff and I always appreciate it when I'm offered a taste.
Closing
Overall, an educational experience. The 70's and 63's were drinking the best tonight. The 77's were dissapointing and I was surprised to see how much age they were showing. The Fonseca looked the oldest but the Taylor and Warre's didn't look like spring chickens either. Interestingly the '77 Gould Campbell and '77 Smith Woodhouse both showed high levels of color extraction and were the exception.
1963 Taylor (Fladgate) Porto Vintage 95 Points
Portugal, Douro, Porto
Reddish brown color. I picked up notes of raisin and cinnamon and some heat on the nose. The palate is smooth with just a little tannin and a little more heat. Light to medium weight mouth feel. Very long, sweet finish.
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1963 Cockburn Porto Vintage 94 Points
Portugal, Douro, Porto
Reddish brown color. Raisin, cinnamon and other fruit on the nose. Very thick and viscous on the palate. Long finish.
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1964 Graham Porto Vintage Malvedos 94 Points
Portugal, Douro, Porto
Brownish red, almost like a 10 year tawny. Quite a bit of red fruit on the nose, strawberry, raspberry, kirsch. On the palate this is very smooth with medium weight viscosity. A medium to long finish with hints of licorish.
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