February events Tasting JN Held together well over the evening. Noted spirit on palate which calmed within 20 minutes. Not yet hit its plateau but close.
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Deep garnet in color. Nose of dark cherries, menthol, dark chocolate, and hint of tobacco. Tastes of dark cherries, dried prunes, dark chocolate, and menthol. Still primary flavors. Good fruit adn acidity. Drier in profile. I would wait another 5-10 years to drink, but pleasant now.
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Graham's 1997 - quite forward with ripe, aromatic scents of dark chocolate and black fruits. A distinct line of acidity suggesting that this will develop further but no need to delay drinking as really enjoyable now! Mr Stebbing court lunch
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Half bottle. 1997 seems less impressive a port vintage than 1994, 2000, or 2003. This wine is still dark but not showing much interesting on the nose. Some fruit behind the alcohol. Hard to get excited. Perhaps it’s in a dumb phase if I want to be charitable.
Update, it improved with air and I upgraded my score from 87 to 89.
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Half-bottle, decanted immediately before drinking. After half an hour a very pleasant port, though it might have reached greater heights if given more time to breathe. Very accessible.
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This is drinking really nicely. Firm palate of dark cherry, cacao, licorice, spice. The tannins are surprisingly soft, making this very drinkable at this stage. Drink now or hold for 5+ yrs.
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The wine is a blend of traditional Port varieties harvested from the five renowned Symington Quintas (Quinta dos Malvedos, Quinta do Tua, Quinta das Lages and Quinta da Vila Velha in Cima Corgo and Quinta do Vale das Malhadas in Douro Superior). 20% alcohol, 4,6 g/l acidity. According to the producer, the wine's Baumé reading is 3,5 which translates to 65 g/l residual sugar - a number which sounds very odd and way too low for a Vintage Port. Tasted blind.
Dense, fully opaque blackish-red color with a subtly evolved dried-blood color. The nose is instantly recognizable as a Vintage Port with vibrant aromas of blueberries and boysenberries, somewhat noticeable alcohol heat, a little bit of perfumed, floral lift, light sooty notes, sweet hints of cherry marmalade and blackcurrant jam and an evolved touch of earthy spices. The overall impression is big and powerful, yet immensely attractive and fine-tuned. The wine feels rich, dense and sweet on the palate with a full body and very intense flavors of blackberry jam and overripe black cherries along with notes of savory, earthy spices and some dried figs, a little bit of boysenberry, light peppery tones, a hint of earth and a touch of plummy dark fruit. The overall feel is quite muscular, yet not too tightly-knit with the moderately high acidity and somewhat grippy medium-plus tannins. The finish is long, sweet and grippy yet quite savory with a bold aftertaste of cherry marmalade and some dried figs, a little bit of boysenberry jam, light peppery tones, a little bit of earth, a mineral hint of sun-baked rocks and a touch of pouch tobacco. The high alcohol lends some obvious heat to the finish.
A very impressive, harmonious and voluptuous yet not fat Vintage Port that showcases perfectly that typical richness typical of Graham's, yet keeping the wine from coming across as soft or excessively sweet. This is definitely much fruitier and sweeter compared to Vintage Ports from the likes of Dow's or Taylor's, yet sporting enough freshness and structure to come across as firm and serious, not just hedonistic. I was immediately sure from the first sniff that this was a Vintage Port, but I did not dare to guess the house, just thought this might be a 1994 VP. Well, the style was correct, but the vintage wasn't. All in all, a superb effort that is drinking really well right now but will continue to evolve and improve for years more. Highly recommended.
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Deep dark center, red rim with very modest signs of age. Dark berry compote on the nose, licorice, wet stone. Sweet, ripe and rounded, licorice and blackberries and plums, good tannin and acidity, not hot at all, touch of an old cupboard, creamy milk chocolate and a wonderful finish. Took a day to open up (so longer to go in the cellar), excellent port in a slightly drier style than is typical of Grahams, good now, but has many years to go.
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Nose of dried apricot, dates, and a huge peppery spice note. Complex palate includes baked cherry, burnt plum, stewed fruit, tar, hot asphalt, and salumi notes. Firm tannic backbone with espresso bean, black fruits,, black plum, dark chocolate, and black fig. Solid if not outstanding. Seems unlikely to improve further.
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It smells like plastic fruit which has to smell like fruit, chemical. The palate is okay. Not too sweet and with nice black fruit juice. I just don't like the nose...
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Deep purple red color. Aromas of purple plums, blackberries and cocoa. Ripe, sweet fruit in the mouth with excellent depth and a long, lingering finish. Nicely full and concentrated on the palate. Still very fresh and intact at 22 years of age.
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P: MF, poss Full, body; NICE, SWTISH frt (poss with just a BIT of init heat?) BEAUTIFULLY counterbalanced by an acidity which seamlessly evolves into a very LONG, BALANCED finish with elegant, swt/choc notes. Clearly at *least* my EXC+ right now, with a distinct possibility for full Exceptionality somewhere down the line! Various POSITIVE reviews avail here &/or from the producer @ http://www.grahams-port.com/wines/bottle-aged-ports/vintage-port#slider/12 . [This vendor's $59.95 is at least $4 < any of the other U.S. sources listed on wine-searcher!]
Note: Also tasted on 6/9/2018 & 1/19/2019.
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N: Very slightly closed; Berries,smoke, with HINTS of pyrazines underneath?
P: Med body; NICE, swtish frt beautifully balanced by acidity as it seamlessly transitions into quite a LONG, impeccably BALANCED finish. AWESOME stuff that is clearly at *least* my EXC+ right now, with a distinct possibility for full Exceptionality somewhere down the line! Various POSITIVE reviews avail here &/or from the producer @ http://www.grahams-port.com/wines/bottle-aged-ports/vintage-port#slider/12 . [This vendor's $59.95 is at least $5 < any of the other U.S. sources listed on wine-searcher!]
Note: Also tasted on 6/9/2018
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Super hot. Filtered into decanter and tasted over 2 weeks. It honestly didn't start to open up for a week. By day 11 it finally mellowed out enough to enjoy the sweet red berries and raisins in the nose and palate. Early on, it was very tobacco-ey, and really smelled like an ashtray. Have to hold onto these for quite a while longer to truly see how they will evolve and develop.
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Drinking perfectly right now. Substantial sediment so be sure to decant. Rich and well balanced, layers of fruit still and a very long, smooth finish. Kept for 4 days using a Vacuvin stopper, with little degradation by day 3-4. A good celebration or occasion port. Drink or Hold.
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Note: This was open ~ 4-1/2 hrs in a sm tasting glass before writing the ff.
N: Closed; Something I can't quite ID, then earth, with notes of oranges?
P: Med body; LOVELY, certainly SWTISH frt BEAUTIFULLY counterbalanced by an acidity which stamps out even the MENTION of the word "cloying"! Very LONG, persistent finish. A mere "pup" with a LONG life ahead of it! My EXC+ with future EXCEPTIONALITY a given! :) Various POSITIVE reviews avail here &/or from the producer @ http://www.grahams-port.com/wines/bottle-aged-ports/vintage-port#slider/12 . [This vendor's $59.95 is at least $5 < any of the other U.S. sources listed on wine-searcher!]
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Graham/Barton tasting-cum-lunch (Restaurant Bak, Amsterdam, NL): Classical and elegant wine, black cherries and dark chocolate, youthful and energetic, not that sweet and with a good charge of tannins, medium weight, long and layered finish. Not an obvious wine, much better on the second day. Pflaumenmus.
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Medium red with brown edges. Spirity fig and brown sugar nose, quite savory as well with hints of roast beef in the background. Delicious rich red fruit and earth flavours. Sweet and tannic finish.
A pleasure to drink.
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Rich fig and prune along with caramel, chocolate, black pepper, tobacco, and violets. Nice balance between weight and flow. Not too sweet or syrupy. The finish reminds me of eating a date or prune. Really delicious.
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A Nice Saturday Dinner in Oakville with Family Friends: This was quite primary, pouring inky dark. Nose is of plums in syrup, black cherry, prunes, dates, figs, brown sugar and cedar. The palate has dense ripe fruit with a good acid/sugar/alcohol balance and fairly low tannin. Still just a baby, though the powerful, youthful fruit is wide open.
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Delicious, classic port. Still very young, but delicious right now. The nose is filled with dark fruit, smoke, dusty earth. The palate is rich, mouth coating, a finishes beautifully. I'd probably hold it for another 5-10 at this point to let development continue.
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PHMG WAG: Port(ugal) Tasting (The Lyon Lodge): This is an excellent wine, but paled a little in this tasting. Ripe black fruit, licorice, cocoa, and tar are reasonably deep and well integrated with the sugar. Etoh and tannins are non-obtrusive. Next in 2017.
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Opend this bottle after opening an 83 which was corked. Decanted and started to slowly drink over the next couple of hrs. Lovely port that will only get better!
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4th Saturday Brown Bagger (Our house): From a 750ml bottle opened the previous weekend. Notes of chocolate and black fruit; spice and florals. The palate follows the bouquet; tannins have softened over the week; long finish. Hold until 2017+.
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From 750ml. Decanted approx six hours and rebottled, served about five hours later. Cherry, black fruit and spice aromas; also plum and tar notes. Medium tannins; black fruit, licorice and plum flavors. Long finish.
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Popped and poured from 375 ml bottle. Opaque inky purple with a few hints of maturity just beginning to show. Very fine nose that, no surprise, is pretty closed right now but still showed graphite, plums, flowers, and tar. Beautifully balanced on the palate with deep figgy fruit, tar, and blackberries balanced with very fine tannin and typical Graham sweetness. Very long finish. All the elements are there for a superb bottle in several years. Enjoyable now but still somewhat monolithic.
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A reddish maturing-like rim. Opaque purple in the body. Blackberry, black cherry, spice, some tar, licorice. Comes across as structured, with rich, sweet fruit in the mouth. Long finish, but a bit of alcohol on the way. A decent and enjoyable port.
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Heady spice tar and fruit nose, tannins still with some edge, but the overwhelming palate impact is one of sweet plum and berry fruit over layered with tobacco and brown spices. Very good and perhaps needs another few years, but very drinkable now.
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decanted for 8hrs. sweet plum & fig nose. hints of nuts & baking spices. young & big tannins/alcohol. very creamy on the palate. very good-excellent VP on clearance.
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RUSSK Jay and Pablo for dinner, Jay brought. Medium sweet. Not tannic. Very fresh, creamy and easy, dispite the 20% alc. Not too raisiny. I get the plum and blackberry, but not the wet earth (WS review). Did I mention creamy?
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Still pretty tightly wound (decanted for 6 hours), but very drinkable. Reticent nose, not a lot of complexity here, but very enjoyable as dessert wine (as opposed to a mind-blowing sipping wine)--let 'em sleep another 10 years.
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Sweet, supple and drinking incredibly well. Really a 92 pt bottle if you want to drink it right now. Not a top vintage for Graham's but already a nice bottle and will improve for 20 years before it hits a peak.
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Double decanted and drank 1/3. Put the rest in the fridge. It threw very little sediment and color is still deep, nearly impenetrable inky ruby in the center, continuing to purple/pink at the edge. Nose dominated by spirits and young grapy aromas. Quite strong, flavorful taste of licorice followed by relatively short finish. This wine is still very young, so I'm sure another 5 years ageing will be well rewarded.
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2/29/2024 - SaltWine wrote:
February events Tasting JN
Held together well over the evening. Noted spirit on palate which calmed within 20 minutes. Not yet hit its plateau but close.
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2/26/2024 - efeldhake@yahoo.com Likes this wine: 92 Points
Deep garnet in color. Nose of dark cherries, menthol, dark chocolate, and hint of tobacco. Tastes of dark cherries, dried prunes, dark chocolate, and menthol. Still primary flavors. Good fruit adn acidity. Drier in profile. I would wait another 5-10 years to drink, but pleasant now.
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2/17/2024 - 1961Vintage Likes this wine: 93 Points
Very enjoyable right now. Paired with deep chocolate cake. Yummy combo.
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1/10/2024 - markdewstevens Likes this wine: 89 Points
SALTWINE nailed it. Forward, good fruit, pleasant, but needs more time in the cellar. I think I’ll hold my last bottle another 5 years. Can’t wait…
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12/25/2023 - pdadams66 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Maturing nicely from 2 years ago. Still a little vegetal but with good fruit and structure underneath. Good now, but has many years to go.
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11/28/2023 - Jamieson12o Likes this wine: 92 Points
"An evening of Port with the Symingtons" at BBR (BBR): Little bit neither here nor there; but there's fruit and generosity. Not closed by any means but still just a little bit in transition.
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11/9/2023 - SaltWine wrote:
Graham's 1997 - quite forward with ripe, aromatic scents of dark chocolate and black fruits. A distinct line of acidity suggesting that this will develop further but no need to delay drinking as really enjoyable now! Mr Stebbing court lunch
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9/28/2023 - SaltWine wrote:
Court Lunch 1997 Graham’s – needs more time to lose spirityness. Johnny Nichols
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9/20/2023 - SaltWine wrote:
Wine Com Plum, blackberry nose.
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9/11/2023 - Bordeaux_Jon Does not like this wine: 89 Points
Half bottle. 1997 seems less impressive a port vintage than 1994, 2000, or 2003. This wine is still dark but not showing much interesting on the nose. Some fruit behind the alcohol. Hard to get excited. Perhaps it’s in a dumb phase if I want to be charitable.
Update, it improved with air and I upgraded my score from 87 to 89.
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4/4/2023 - DK Amateur wrote:
Half-bottle, decanted immediately before drinking. After half an hour a very pleasant port, though it might have reached greater heights if given more time to breathe. Very accessible.
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3/9/2023 - SaltWine wrote:
WINE COM J.N. bad bottle and didn't attempt to get another.
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11/27/2022 - Haggis Likes this wine: 93 Points
This is drinking really nicely. Firm palate of dark cherry, cacao, licorice, spice. The tannins are surprisingly soft, making this very drinkable at this stage. Drink now or hold for 5+ yrs.
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9/24/2022 - rexmerlot wrote: 91 Points
Dark purple in color. Notes of blackberry, licorice, and dark chocolate. Drinking very well right now, with many years more.
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8/3/2022 - forceberry wrote: 94 Points
The wine is a blend of traditional Port varieties harvested from the five renowned Symington Quintas (Quinta dos Malvedos, Quinta do Tua, Quinta das Lages and Quinta da Vila Velha in Cima Corgo and Quinta do Vale das Malhadas in Douro Superior). 20% alcohol, 4,6 g/l acidity. According to the producer, the wine's Baumé reading is 3,5 which translates to 65 g/l residual sugar - a number which sounds very odd and way too low for a Vintage Port. Tasted blind.
Dense, fully opaque blackish-red color with a subtly evolved dried-blood color. The nose is instantly recognizable as a Vintage Port with vibrant aromas of blueberries and boysenberries, somewhat noticeable alcohol heat, a little bit of perfumed, floral lift, light sooty notes, sweet hints of cherry marmalade and blackcurrant jam and an evolved touch of earthy spices. The overall impression is big and powerful, yet immensely attractive and fine-tuned. The wine feels rich, dense and sweet on the palate with a full body and very intense flavors of blackberry jam and overripe black cherries along with notes of savory, earthy spices and some dried figs, a little bit of boysenberry, light peppery tones, a hint of earth and a touch of plummy dark fruit. The overall feel is quite muscular, yet not too tightly-knit with the moderately high acidity and somewhat grippy medium-plus tannins. The finish is long, sweet and grippy yet quite savory with a bold aftertaste of cherry marmalade and some dried figs, a little bit of boysenberry jam, light peppery tones, a little bit of earth, a mineral hint of sun-baked rocks and a touch of pouch tobacco. The high alcohol lends some obvious heat to the finish.
A very impressive, harmonious and voluptuous yet not fat Vintage Port that showcases perfectly that typical richness typical of Graham's, yet keeping the wine from coming across as soft or excessively sweet. This is definitely much fruitier and sweeter compared to Vintage Ports from the likes of Dow's or Taylor's, yet sporting enough freshness and structure to come across as firm and serious, not just hedonistic. I was immediately sure from the first sniff that this was a Vintage Port, but I did not dare to guess the house, just thought this might be a 1994 VP. Well, the style was correct, but the vintage wasn't. All in all, a superb effort that is drinking really well right now but will continue to evolve and improve for years more. Highly recommended.
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12/26/2021 - pdadams66 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Deep dark center, red rim with very modest signs of age.
Dark berry compote on the nose, licorice, wet stone.
Sweet, ripe and rounded, licorice and blackberries and plums, good tannin and acidity, not hot at all, touch of an old cupboard, creamy milk chocolate and a wonderful finish.
Took a day to open up (so longer to go in the cellar), excellent port in a slightly drier style than is typical of Grahams, good now, but has many years to go.
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5/9/2021 - VAGenius Likes this wine: 93 Points
Nose of dried apricot, dates, and a huge peppery spice note. Complex palate includes baked cherry, burnt plum, stewed fruit, tar, hot asphalt, and salumi notes. Firm tannic backbone with espresso bean, black fruits,, black plum, dark chocolate, and black fig. Solid if not outstanding. Seems unlikely to improve further.
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12/25/2020 - d'Artagnan wrote: 90 Points
Bu les 24 et 25.
Un Porto dense et sérieux, avec une bonne profondeur, dans un style plutôt austère. Manque un peu de charme et complexité. 89-90
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1/18/2020 - gmbdds wrote: 92 Points
A big mouthful of grape, blackberry, plum and brown sugar. This is fairly primary, but pure and delicious.
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12/28/2019 - Kriz wrote: 89 Points
It smells like plastic fruit which has to smell like fruit, chemical. The palate is okay. Not too sweet and with nice black fruit juice. I just don't like the nose...
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11/17/2019 - hsacks Likes this wine: 93 Points
Deep purple red color. Aromas of purple plums, blackberries and cocoa.
Ripe, sweet fruit in the mouth with excellent depth and a long, lingering finish. Nicely full and concentrated on the palate. Still very fresh and intact at 22 years of age.
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6/15/2019 - srh Likes this wine:
Winebar [4 Whites, 8 Reds, & 8 *shared* bottles] from 06/14/19 (Vintage Wines Ltd., San Diego, CA): THANK you for once again furthering my Port "education" that would be virtually non-existent were it not for YOUR generous sharing, Dr. Tom! :)
20% ABV & 4.6 g/l T.A.
N: Slightly closed; Attractive melding of berries, toast, & spice; Intensity lurking
P: MF, poss Full, body; NICE, SWTISH frt (poss with just a BIT of init heat?) BEAUTIFULLY counterbalanced by an acidity which seamlessly evolves into a very LONG, BALANCED finish with elegant, swt/choc notes. Clearly at *least* my EXC+ right now, with a distinct possibility for full Exceptionality somewhere down the line! Various POSITIVE reviews avail here &/or from the producer @ http://www.grahams-port.com/wines/bottle-aged-ports/vintage-port#slider/12 . [This vendor's $59.95 is at least $4 < any of the other U.S. sources listed on wine-searcher!]
Note: Also tasted on 6/9/2018 & 1/19/2019.
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1/19/2019 - srh Likes this wine:
Winebar [4 Whites, 8 Reds, & 4 *shared* bottles] from 01/18/19 (Vintage Wines Ltd., San Diego, CA): Dr. Tom, **thank** you for a 2nd opportunity to taste this treasure! :)
20% ABV & 4.6 g/l T.A.
N: Very slightly closed; Berries,smoke, with HINTS of pyrazines underneath?
P: Med body; NICE, swtish frt beautifully balanced by acidity as it seamlessly transitions into quite a LONG, impeccably BALANCED finish. AWESOME stuff that is clearly at *least* my EXC+ right now, with a distinct possibility for full Exceptionality somewhere down the line! Various POSITIVE reviews avail here &/or from the producer @ http://www.grahams-port.com/wines/bottle-aged-ports/vintage-port#slider/12 . [This vendor's $59.95 is at least $5 < any of the other U.S. sources listed on wine-searcher!]
Note: Also tasted on 6/9/2018
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12/27/2018 - lebo9968@gmail.com Likes this wine: 93 Points
Super hot. Filtered into decanter and tasted over 2 weeks. It honestly didn't start to open up for a week. By day 11 it finally mellowed out enough to enjoy the sweet red berries and raisins in the nose and palate. Early on, it was very tobacco-ey, and really smelled like an ashtray. Have to hold onto these for quite a while longer to truly see how they will evolve and develop.
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12/21/2018 - stevenc.rees@gmail.com Likes this wine: 92 Points
Drinking perfectly right now. Substantial sediment so be sure to decant. Rich and well balanced, layers of fruit still and a very long, smooth finish. Kept for 4 days using a Vacuvin stopper, with little degradation by day 3-4. A good celebration or occasion port. Drink or Hold.
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11/18/2018 - KTelaak_Buffalo Likes this wine: 94 Points
This was simply amazing, sweet and complex. Everything I want from a port. Love it.
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6/9/2018 - srh Likes this wine:
Winebar [4 Whites, 8 Reds, & 2 *shared* dessert wines] from 06/08/18 (Vintage Wines Ltd., San Diego, CA): Yet ANOTHER thanks, Dr. Tom! :)
20% ABV & 4.6 g/l T.A.
Note: This was open ~ 4-1/2 hrs in a sm tasting glass before writing the ff.
N: Closed; Something I can't quite ID, then earth, with notes of oranges?
P: Med body; LOVELY, certainly SWTISH frt BEAUTIFULLY counterbalanced by an acidity which stamps out even the MENTION of the word "cloying"! Very LONG, persistent finish. A mere "pup" with a LONG life ahead of it! My EXC+ with future EXCEPTIONALITY a given! :) Various POSITIVE reviews avail here &/or from the producer @ http://www.grahams-port.com/wines/bottle-aged-ports/vintage-port#slider/12 . [This vendor's $59.95 is at least $5 < any of the other U.S. sources listed on wine-searcher!]
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1/13/2018 - Xavier Auerbach wrote: 93 Points
Graham/Barton tasting-cum-lunch (Restaurant Bak, Amsterdam, NL): Classical and elegant wine, black cherries and dark chocolate, youthful and energetic, not that sweet and with a good charge of tannins, medium weight, long and layered finish. Not an obvious wine, much better on the second day. Pflaumenmus.
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1/2/2018 - Andybe Likes this wine: 96 Points
An elegant beauty !
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8/16/2017 - David J Cooper wrote: 92 Points
Medium red with brown edges. Spirity fig and brown sugar nose, quite savory as well with hints of roast beef in the background. Delicious rich red fruit and earth flavours. Sweet and tannic finish.
A pleasure to drink.
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7/22/2017 - theportguy wrote: 93 Points
FTLOP 12th Anniversary; 7/21/2017-7/23/2017 (Seattle, Washington): Mostly opaque, with a dark purple center. Dark fruits on the nose with some underlying cocoa powder. Milk chocolate with baking spice and some licorice on the palate. Long finish.
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3/10/2017 - rmalloy Likes this wine: 95 Points
Rich fig and prune along with caramel, chocolate, black pepper, tobacco, and violets. Nice balance between weight and flow. Not too sweet or syrupy. The finish reminds me of eating a date or prune. Really delicious.
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6/21/2016 - fcxj wrote: 88 Points
Enjoyable but not complicated.
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12/30/2015 - dougie Likes this wine: 91 Points
Decanted 4 hours. Good but simple compared to great years.
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10/18/2014 - Wine Canuck wrote:
A Nice Saturday Dinner in Oakville with Family Friends: This was quite primary, pouring inky dark. Nose is of plums in syrup, black cherry, prunes, dates, figs, brown sugar and cedar. The palate has dense ripe fruit with a good acid/sugar/alcohol balance and fairly low tannin. Still just a baby, though the powerful, youthful fruit is wide open.
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6/24/2014 - jnewman77 Likes this wine:
Delicious, classic port. Still very young, but delicious right now. The nose is filled with dark fruit, smoke, dusty earth. The palate is rich, mouth coating, a finishes beautifully. I'd probably hold it for another 5-10 at this point to let development continue.
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3/8/2014 - Grinner wrote: 90 Points
PHMG WAG: Port(ugal) Tasting (The Lyon Lodge): This is an excellent wine, but paled a little in this tasting. Ripe black fruit, licorice, cocoa, and tar are reasonably deep and well integrated with the sugar. Etoh and tannins are non-obtrusive. Next in 2017.
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12/6/2013 - Mickelintott wrote: 91 Points
Angenäm och välbalanserad doft. Fikon, kakao, chocklad m.m. Fortfarande ungt. Ett vin som kommer att utvecklas framöver.
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2/24/2013 - KCBrian wrote: 91 Points
Opend this bottle after opening an 83 which was corked. Decanted and started to slowly drink over the next couple of hrs. Lovely port that will only get better!
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9/29/2012 - AllRed wrote: 93 Points
4th Saturday Brown Bagger (Our house): From a 750ml bottle opened the previous weekend. Notes of chocolate and black fruit; spice and florals. The palate follows the bouquet; tannins have softened over the week; long finish. Hold until 2017+.
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9/21/2012 - AllRed wrote:
From 750ml. Decanted approx six hours and rebottled, served about five hours later. Cherry, black fruit and spice aromas; also plum and tar notes. Medium tannins; black fruit, licorice and plum flavors. Long finish.
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7/17/2012 - Weston3220 wrote:
Port Night (Paul's Abode): Port Tasting Night 1960 - 2007:
Fresh fruit syrup/blackberries
youthful but tasty
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4/17/2012 - pointrob wrote: 90 Points
still too young but drinkable
this wine will improve with a few more years
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12/27/2011 - tomandlu wrote: 91 Points
Popped and poured from 375 ml bottle. Opaque inky purple with a few hints of maturity just beginning to show. Very fine nose that, no surprise, is pretty closed right now but still showed graphite, plums, flowers, and tar. Beautifully balanced on the palate with deep figgy fruit, tar, and blackberries balanced with very fine tannin and typical Graham sweetness. Very long finish. All the elements are there for a superb bottle in several years. Enjoyable now but still somewhat monolithic.
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12/20/2011 - Chainthroer wrote: 91 Points
A reddish maturing-like rim. Opaque purple in the body. Blackberry, black cherry, spice, some tar, licorice. Comes across as structured, with rich, sweet fruit in the mouth. Long finish, but a bit of alcohol on the way. A decent and enjoyable port.
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12/1/2011 - Zazzaman Likes this wine: 90 Points
Heady spice tar and fruit nose, tannins still with some edge, but the overwhelming palate impact is one of sweet plum and berry fruit over layered with tobacco and brown spices. Very good and perhaps needs another few years, but very drinkable now.
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2/6/2011 - celtic67 wrote:
decanted for 8hrs. sweet plum & fig nose. hints of nuts & baking spices. young & big tannins/alcohol. very creamy on the palate. very good-excellent VP on clearance.
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10/10/2010 - rdsboca wrote: 91 Points
Sweet plums and dark berry fruIt. Too young still. A bit disjointed. Has the right recipe, just needs time.
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1/25/2010 - RussK wrote: 94 Points
RUSSK Jay and Pablo for dinner, Jay brought. Medium sweet. Not tannic. Very fresh, creamy and easy, dispite the 20% alc. Not too raisiny. I get the plum and blackberry, but not the wet earth (WS review). Did I mention creamy?
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10/26/2009 - Xavier Auerbach wrote: 92 Points
Christie's Private Pre-Sale Tasting and Dinner (Amsterdam): Young, still closed, a structured and elegant 1997, less sweet than some other vintages.
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9/3/2009 - godx wrote: 90 Points
No formal notes. Opened and drank over 3 hours. From 375ml. Drink or hold. Excellent. 90+
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8/17/2009 - godx wrote: 89 Points
No formal notes. From 375ml. Very good.
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8/16/2009 - godx wrote: 90 Points
No formal notes. From 375ml. Excellent.
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2/14/2009 - dmoritz wrote: 88 Points
Lots of Recent Tastings Notes, Valentines Day, etc - SQN, Maybach, Insignia, Delas, Clape, more; 1/31/2009-2/15/2009: Drank Valentines Day, paired with chocolate souffle. Decanted for several hours, but still extremely tight. Plum, licorice, blackberry fill the nose. The palate was somewhat hot, dampering the overall exprience of the wine. Unchanged on day 2. Perhaps too young to drink.
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1/19/2008 - clavin123 wrote: 90 Points
Still needs more time to mature, but opened up pretty well after some time in the decanter and glass. Incredible pairing with dark chocolate.
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12/26/2007 - ruddy wrote: 89 Points
Still pretty tightly wound (decanted for 6 hours), but very drinkable. Reticent nose, not a lot of complexity here, but very enjoyable as dessert wine (as opposed to a mind-blowing sipping wine)--let 'em sleep another 10 years.
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12/18/2006 - KPB wrote: 89 Points
Sweet, supple and drinking incredibly well. Really a 92 pt bottle if you want to drink it right now. Not a top vintage for Graham's but already a nice bottle and will improve for 20 years before it hits a peak.
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2/4/2006 - Rupert wrote: 89 Points
Black, dense, powerful, quite medicinal in a Northern Rhone sort of way, not at all sweet, impressive but not yet complex
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9/12/2005 - jpan wrote:
Double decanted and drank 1/3. Put the rest in the fridge. It threw very little sediment and color is still deep, nearly impenetrable inky ruby in the center, continuing to purple/pink at the edge. Nose dominated by spirits and young grapy aromas. Quite strong, flavorful taste of licorice followed by relatively short finish. This wine is still very young, so I'm sure another 5 years ageing will be well rewarded.
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8/21/2004 - Rupert wrote: 91 Points
My first experience of very young proper vintage port. And a very enjoyable drink it was too. Not very sweet. Simple, but luxurious feeling in mouth.
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