1977 Gould Campbell Porto Vintage

Community Tasting Notes (106) Avg Score: 92.5 points

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  10/19/2023 - CharlesHK wrote: 91 Points

  Gould Campbell 1977 is a monumental vintage port. If cellared properly it will probably outlive everyone reading this review. Seriously. That is how big, full, rich, blockish, and young this port is, and has tasted for much of its life. It's damn near immortal in my opinion, but is it now or will it every be an exceptional vintage port?
  
  Depends on what you are looking for in vintage port and when you drink it. It you want complexity, nuance, evolution as you drink it, and a port that is rich, but light on its feet, this isn't it (right now, anyway). If you want a full-throttle, heavy, rich, and demanding port, you really couldn't do better. Serve this to guests and see how many guess it is 46? Few, if any. I reckon a lot would guess 1994 or 2003, maybe 2000 or 1997. This port is deceptive on so many levels.
  
  I first tasted this port at Wolfson College, Cambridge, in 1998 alongside Fonseca 1977, Quarrels Harris 1977, Churchill 1985, and Dow 1983. It was the standout then, but I wish I could taste the same line-up today. This port has hardly evolved. My tastes buds, however, have changed since my twenties--a lot.
  
  9th bottle from 18 I purchased twenty years ago. Provenance perfect. Cork exceptional. Standing for 96 hours before opening, decanted for 10 hours. Served at 19C.
  
  It's simply hard to believe this port is 46 years old. It is only slightly smoother, more balanced, "resolved" and mature tasting now than it was in 1998. it's really rather blockish and one dimensional and I believe it might always remain this way.
  
  My notes from 1998 still mostly reflect this port today. They were: "dense, black, violets, fat, thick, edging to magnificent, richest port I have ever tasted. Can't wait to try it in 2008. Only downside: spirit still not integrated and sticks out. Harsh and a bit hot on the finish."
  
  It was a real "notice me" port. It still is.
  
  The spirt has integrated and the port tastes more balanced right now (no violets, not harsh), but it is still blockish and one dimensional. The first taste is exactly the same as the last. And, it tastes virtually the same as it did in 2013. In this regard, it's just a bit demanding; slightly tiring after a meal with wine.
  
  I had the great fortune to taste a Fonseca 1977 five years ago and it was truly amazing - it has evolved so much and is so complex, mysterious, rich, but not blockish or heavy. Figs. It is the complete package, though it has always tasted on the lighter side. The 1977 Quarrels Harris was well past it.
  
  I won't write I can't wait to taste in 2043 because that could be tempting fate. But, not so secretly, that is how I feel.
  
  This is a long review, but how often do you get to taste a 46 year old port and reflect on a port you first tasted 25 years ago? Not as often as we all should, unfortunately. Port can be glorious and I hope the 1977 Gould Campbell eventually lives up to my lofty expectations: from 25 years ago as well as today.

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  10/14/2023 - theportguy wrote: 94 Points

  Sammamish Port Club - 1970's Ports (Seattle, Washington): Nice amber-ruby color. Chocolate and fresh crushed red fruit on the nose. Rich and luscious on the entry, with tannins present but nicely integrated on the palate. The balance here is really nice, sitting just on the edge of intensity, but maintain its balance.

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  7/4/2023 - Rick & Ilsa wrote: 94 Points

  Third bottle in the last 4 years and like the others, this bottle showed well. Decanted for 4 hours prior to serving. Figs, cherries, red fruits and berries, Christmas spice and chocolate. Big, smooth and plenty of fruits still, tannins and acidity in balance, to me, this seems to be in a sweet spot. Certainly no hurry, probably a decade or more left, but if you have a few, this is worth opening now.

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  5/28/2023 - PhN Likes this wine: 97 Points

  The low fill and built up detritus under the cap concerned me, but the wine was fabulous on opening. Great depth and balance, excellent fruit. Delicious as an after dinner drink. Sweet but not cloying. Thurourghly enjoyable. This is the highest rating I have ever given a wine that should have been a flawed bottle given the appearance before extracting the entirely wine soaked cork.

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  1/31/2023 - BVal wrote: 93 Points

  From a 750ml. Opened and sampled with family then vacu-vinned and reopened 2 nights later; note from then.
  
  Color/App: dark, nearly opaque ruby core -> deep ruby/garnet rim; high viscosity. Very compressed nose, even after being open for 2 days; black fruit, raisins, spice cake. The medium/full bodied palate shows as quite youthful at 45+ years old. Cherries, raisins and chocolate stretch out on a deliciously long finish that has the alcohol level in reasonable check. I would agree with some here that this still has plenty of time ahead. 93 for now and still some possible upside....

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