Port Dinner with Roy Hersh and Robert Bower (Taylor/Fonseca) and Others

Roy put together this wonderful evening in Seattle. With Robert Bower in town, there was a great occasion to try some terrific Ports and learn some things along the way. Participants were also permitted to bring one red wine per person to share over dinner. I did not take extensive notes of the dinner wines, but did write notes for the 6 Ports tasted before dinner. It was a great night.

• 1970 Fonseca Porto Vintage 97 Points

  Portugal, Douro, Porto

  Nose of crushed berries, spice, cherries, French perfume and apple skins. Robert provided an analogy from one of the astute ladies of his family - on the palate, Fonseca is like Marilyn Monroe and Taylor is like Audrey Hepburn. Very well said, and I agree. This one is voluptuous and lovely. Chocolate covered raisins. It is darker colored than the Taylor of the same year and ultimately will probably drink longer. Really wonderful now, but not yet at peak.

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• 1970 Taylor (Fladgate) Porto Vintage 98 Points

  Portugal, Douro, Porto

  Second time in a month with this wine. Showed remarkably the same (this one only fractionally fresher). Glorious nose of baking spices (mainly cinnamon) and licorice/anise. On the palate, a candied sweetness plus an inner mouth perfume that the Fonseca lacks at present. A little nutty flavour and marzipan. Also cinnamon hearts candy. Beautiful stucture with fine tannins supporting the substantial frame. This wine must have hit peak. I don't expect any sudden decline, but this is a great drink right now. My WOTN.

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• 1977 Taylor (Fladgate) Porto Vintage 93 Points

  Portugal, Douro, Porto

  The first bottle was corked. The second bottle had a closed nose that showed a little funky at first (I wondered if this one too was spoiled, but the funk blew off after awhile.) Robert told us this Port was from a wet vintage. On the palate, the wine is a little narrow. Still sweet showing brown sugar and brooding dark fruits. There is some spirit on the nose and finish. My score reflects estimated potential, as I do not think this is a good time to drink this Port.

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• 1977 Delaforce Porto Vintage 85 Points

  Portugal, Douro, Porto

  Ready to drink - don't wait. The color is decidedly lighter than the other ports on this night - cloudy and browning. Nose of green apple skins. On the palate, a bit acidic and yet sweet. Like apple cider. Brown sugar, almond extract, tree bark and a touch of ginger. Outclassed in this company.

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• 1985 Fonseca Porto Vintage 95 Points

  Portugal, Douro, Porto

  Just gorgeous. Nose of rain-soaked earth. Young, yet soft in the mouth - texture like a feather pillow. Superb plum fruit. Blackberries ripened to perfection. Ultrafine ripe tannins. Very, very good young Port.

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• 1995 Croft Porto Vintage Quinta da Roêda 91 Points

  Portugal, Douro, Porto

  This is just a baby. Dark black-purple color. It is presently very tannic and primary. Sweet, jammy, grapey and just a touch hot. Robert explained that this vineyard gets very hot, causing the wine to show lots of red berry. With time, this will be very nice.

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Thanks again to Roy for putting this together, to Robert for taking time from his schedule to speak to us and to all participants for the delightful company and generousity with the wines!