1980 vintage ports - IWFS Chicago May Luncheon

This event was the last luncheon of the season for the Chicago branch of the IWFS. The weather was fabulous and perfect for a lunch on the shore of Lake Michigan. In this event I'll list the tasting notes of the five bottlings of 1980 vintage port that I brought for service with dessert. With the exception of Quinta co Noval Nacional, the wines did not disappoint.

• 1980 Dow Porto Vintage 95 Points

  Portugal, Douro, Porto

  Opened three hours before service. WOW! This is a big wine that still has yet to reach maturity. Lots of plum flavors. Still some alcohol heat that would have mellowed out if it had been opened earlier. Dark purple color without any color loss. At 32 years old, this wine is at least another 5 years from maturity and will hold together for at least a decade after that. Clearly the wine of the vintage.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

• 1980 Gould Campbell Porto Vintage 92 Points

  Portugal, Douro, Porto

  Opened three hours before serving. Still very red with a slightly brownish edge. A touch of menthol on the nose at first that blew off. Mature but excellent, with easily a decade of solid life left. Great fruit with medium sweetness and very balanced tannins. Excellent.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

• 1980 Graham Porto Vintage 90 Points

  Portugal, Douro, Porto

  Opened three hours before service. Mostly red but with a brown rim, the color not quite as bright as the Gould Campbell. Nice fruit with raisins dominating over plums. The alcohol and tannins were integrated, so no real heat from the alcohol. Mature at this stage with another 5-7 years of enjoyable life left.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

• 1980 Taylor (Fladgate) Porto Vintage 86 Points

  Portugal, Douro, Porto

  Opened three hours before service. Bright brownish red in color, closer to a tawny in color. Medium sweet with little tannins left. Definitely on the downhill slide, but will hold together at least another few years.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

• 1980 Quinta do Noval Porto Vintage Nacional 80 Points

  Portugal, Douro, Porto

  Opened three hours before service. Very light brown, sort of like weak iced tea. Very simple flavors with moderate sweetness and a dry finish. Very much on the downhill slide and not a good showing for this legendary vineyard. This wine will be dead soon. If you own one, drink it. If you don't own one, don't waste your money.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

This was a fun horizontal tasting that all the attendees enjoyed. The Dow clearly is the wine of the vintage, while the Gould Campbell and Graham are doing well. The Taylor is not showing as well as hoped for this producer, while the Nacional is a flat-out failure for Quinta do Noval considering the reputation of this vineyard and the quality of the other producers. Still, the 1980 vintage shows to be something that port lovers should be paying attention to.