July 29, 2023 - Horizontal of 1977 Fonseca, Taylor, Smith Wodehouse, and Sandeman at 3rd weekend of encampment. Roughest of the lot but still great three days later drunk in isolation with Logan.
April 28, 2023 - Age has lightened the color to a deep garnet. Very fragrant, with notes of spiced roasted plums, smoke, Christmas spices and a whiff of old wine cellar. The tannins have melted away to give way to a silky, velvety wine. Wonderful persistence. Excellent.
November 25, 2021 - Very plae rusty-ruby, almost translucent, tons of sediment on the bottom (I didn't decant--i've always been a fan of drinking all the dirty bits at the end which I think have concentrated earthy flavors and are delicious). This had silky dried cherry, cherry skin notes, more red fruits, most of the sweetness dropped out, very elegant, nice, lacked complexity but this was more about the texture palate; a lovely after dinner drink. Thanksgiving dinner at B's.
July 10, 2021 - Drank in London
Still young and fresh
April 8, 2021 - Many years ago, I purchased a case of half bottles of this port and finished the last bottle about ten year ago I was worried that I had waited too long for my one full bottle. Instead I am delighted to find a lingering finish - over a minute, with not only the cherry and raspberry notes but also tobacco and graphite, with notes of Brazil nuts and just a hint of vanilla. Delightful.
December 27, 2017 - A had a forty year port to celebrate a 40th anniversary of the founding of the wine group. Someone brought this to the party. It is also my birth year so they gave me the remaining half bottle. I finished over six days. It was good and had spun off tons of sediment. Still plenty of power left. I still think it could go five or ten more if stored properly. I had coffee and strawberry/raspberry notes on my end. A little tawny like but it still was pleasant enough. I had a forty year old Tawny a few weeks back that just anniliated this in comparison. However, given all the elements this was a pretty good but not great port. Recommend drinking them soon if you have them since I sense it may be on the decline IMO.
September 30, 2017 - Found the last ~1/4 of this bottle in the back of the fridge. Has been open since mid-July, so wasn't sure what to expect. Turns out it's improved substantially! Bodes really well for hanging onto these bottles for another five-10 years.
Light-bodied and colored. Finish hangs on for 45-60 seconds. Slight heat. Quite aromatic. Walnuts, toffee, more walnuts, hazelnut, cafe con leche, raspberry, apricot. Driving acidity keeps it feeling fresh. Begs for a cigar. Drink now or hold through ~2025.
July 23, 2017 - FTLOP 12th Anniversary; 7/21/2017-7/23/2017 (Seattle, Washington): Transparent amber-brown in color. Some slightly musty and medicinal notes on the nose. An intense mouthfeel. A touch of TCA on the nose and palate. Bing cherry and some light spearmint on the palate. Full-bodied and unctuous through the long finish. Could use a little more acidity.
June 10, 2017 - Nice showing. Bottle in good shape -- no seepage or other signs of a hard life. This isn't veering towards tawny for me, just good, solid, aged VP. Light red color, silky with the tannins totally resolved. Chambord, caramel, vanilla, cherry, peanut. Initially quite boozy but blows off quickly. Have one more bottle; will aim to knock it off within two-three years. Paired with a Liga Privada T52, which totally overwhelmed the wine. Would advise a much lighter smoke.
May 4, 2017 - At 40 years old, this port has taken on some Tawny characteristics. It was soft and showing a bit of age but in a nice way. Made the port more approachable. Fair amount of sediment.