The Last Hurrah; 4/7/2022-4/9/2022 (Seattle, Washington): Dark amber-purple in color with a touch of brown on the edges. Noticeable sediment in the glass. There are some herbal notes, dusty grapes, and some intense dark fruit on the nose. Incredible intensity on the approach. There are fantastic rich mocha notes on the palate, along with fig, cherry and red fruits. Really great mouthfeel. It is really incredible that a 1931 Vintage Port still has this much to give. Simply outstanding.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Endless variety of aromas on the nose. Dried cherries, plums, orange, blackberry, herbal notes, licorice, pecan, mink oil, dry soil, baking spices, almost too much to take in at one time. Similar complexity on the palate with smooth but intense flavors. Still young enough for two generations ahead to eventually drink it. 99+
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
I had the good fortune to enjoy this particular wine quite recently at Hollowbrook Manor, at the end of a resplendent meal celebrating the debut of Lord Hurst's cousin, Lady Evelyn St. Clair (see my note on the magnum of 1949 Musigny that accompanied the main dish of poached foetal calf).
Following dinner, we were entertained for a short while by the stylings of Lady Evelyn on the pianoforte. Or, perhaps "entertained" is not precisely the word, for while she is truly a lovely creature, and worthy of all the ample admiration she garnered this season, one cannot in good faith but acknowledge that her playing lacks something of the delicacy and grace found in her physical aspect, so that I was for a time uncertain whether she were engaged in the earnest interpretation of a classical waltz or in the spasmodic performance of some modern vulgarity. This was all rather awkward, and a few minutes passed during which the guests seemed uncertain whether—or upon what topic—to commence conversation. Fortunately for all involved, Lord Hurst was in no way insensible of the situation, being perfectly discerning in the musical realm and merely of the admirable opinion that youth and its passions must be indulged.
The debutante's playing forthwith concluded, the ladies stood to make up a game of bridge, and the gentlemen retired to the drawing room where two large decanters awaited, along with a Stilton of most withering appearance. The wine was remarkably rich and youthful—just beginning to evince those dusky aromas of dried lavender and eastern spice, those flavors of blood and fresh-fallen figs for which mature port is so widely adored. I was so much under its spell, in fact, that I was emboldened to compare it in these regards to the rather exotic beauty of the debutante herself (she born of a house known in the years before her birth for a degree of bacchanalia seldom seen even amongst the aristocracy). A brief silence followed, during which I was afraid that my host might have taken offense, but then the good gentleman raised his glass in merry agreement, and we all drank heartily to Lady Evelyn's successful season.
When we had finished both decanters of port, as well as a round of large and oily pre-Castro cigars, Lord Heatherington made mention of his new Invicta, in which he had driven himself to Hollowbrook. We decided that we desired to have a drive on the grounds, and so took turns racing about at wonderful speeds, while the ladies continued inside with their game. We are none of us experienced, of course, driving automobiles, and I am afraid it was I who finally had a bit of a smash, coming round a bend with an old growth chestnut at its apex. This was only to be expected, and is nothing that Heatherington’s man in London cannot manage, but still I must confess a nagging bit of guilt this morning when I think of the inconvenience to which this will put him. I shall send him a basket of finest Moroccan oranges, which are quite his favorite at this time of year.
9 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
An Affair to Remember: 1851-1994 (Sammamish, Washington): Some mocha, toffee, light, spirity notes on the nose. The color is a very dark ruby, which is surprising for a wine this old. Intense mouthfeel with some red fruit still present. Expansive mouthfeel with red fruit and bing cherry, and a complexity that is quite delightful. The wonderful flavors continued to roll through the exceptionally long finish. Wow!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
A showstopper of a wine. Deep ruby in color with hints of walnut when drawn out shallow enough (for some reason I was compelled to pour a few drops on a clear plate to check this out), the wine offers such a rich, full nose that a deep inhalation passed over me like a warming wave of black cherries, prunes, anise, smoked nuts and that Mexican hot chocolate redolent of cinnamon and nutmeg. The wine is very sweet, jam-like even but with an offsetting acidity that made the overall sensation very bright. The finish was very long, and, even after we finished the bottle, the aromas lingered as we sat and chatted. Sadly, the only bottle of this port in my cellar, and one that I think will prove too difficult to replace.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
The Fine Wine Experience Quinta do Noval & Nacional Tasting (with Christian Seely) (Institute of Directors, London): English-bottled by Fearon, Block, Bridges and Routh. A giant, an athlete and a ballerina all rolled into one. Such power, such finesse; flowery and ethereal nose, ultra-refined liquorice, very deep, harmonious, wonderful grip, the proverbial iron fist in a velvet glove, spices, enormous length. No words of mine can do justice to it. Absolutely sublime. Perfect even.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
4/7/2022 - theportguy wrote: 97 Points
The Last Hurrah; 4/7/2022-4/9/2022 (Seattle, Washington): Dark amber-purple in color with a touch of brown on the edges. Noticeable sediment in the glass. There are some herbal notes, dusty grapes, and some intense dark fruit on the nose. Incredible intensity on the approach. There are fantastic rich mocha notes on the palate, along with fig, cherry and red fruits. Really great mouthfeel. It is really incredible that a 1931 Vintage Port still has this much to give. Simply outstanding.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/22/2017 - BradE wrote:
Absolutely brilliant, and my favorite wine of the day (in steep company).
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/18/2017 - fcxj wrote: 98 Points
Robuchon blind dinner. Lush, velvety. Perfect balance. Wow port.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/11/2016 - tinybubbles Likes this wine: 99 Points
Endless variety of aromas on the nose. Dried cherries, plums, orange, blackberry, herbal notes, licorice, pecan, mink oil, dry soil, baking spices, almost too much to take in at one time. Similar complexity on the palate with smooth but intense flavors. Still young enough for two generations ahead to eventually drink it. 99+
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/22/2014 - The Gilded Sage wrote:
I had the good fortune to enjoy this particular wine quite recently at Hollowbrook Manor, at the end of a resplendent meal celebrating the debut of Lord Hurst's cousin, Lady Evelyn St. Clair (see my note on the magnum of 1949 Musigny that accompanied the main dish of poached foetal calf).
Following dinner, we were entertained for a short while by the stylings of Lady Evelyn on the pianoforte. Or, perhaps "entertained" is not precisely the word, for while she is truly a lovely creature, and worthy of all the ample admiration she garnered this season, one cannot in good faith but acknowledge that her playing lacks something of the delicacy and grace found in her physical aspect, so that I was for a time uncertain whether she were engaged in the earnest interpretation of a classical waltz or in the spasmodic performance of some modern vulgarity. This was all rather awkward, and a few minutes passed during which the guests seemed uncertain whether—or upon what topic—to commence conversation. Fortunately for all involved, Lord Hurst was in no way insensible of the situation, being perfectly discerning in the musical realm and merely of the admirable opinion that youth and its passions must be indulged.
The debutante's playing forthwith concluded, the ladies stood to make up a game of bridge, and the gentlemen retired to the drawing room where two large decanters awaited, along with a Stilton of most withering appearance. The wine was remarkably rich and youthful—just beginning to evince those dusky aromas of dried lavender and eastern spice, those flavors of blood and fresh-fallen figs for which mature port is so widely adored. I was so much under its spell, in fact, that I was emboldened to compare it in these regards to the rather exotic beauty of the debutante herself (she born of a house known in the years before her birth for a degree of bacchanalia seldom seen even amongst the aristocracy). A brief silence followed, during which I was afraid that my host might have taken offense, but then the good gentleman raised his glass in merry agreement, and we all drank heartily to Lady Evelyn's successful season.
When we had finished both decanters of port, as well as a round of large and oily pre-Castro cigars, Lord Heatherington made mention of his new Invicta, in which he had driven himself to Hollowbrook. We decided that we desired to have a drive on the grounds, and so took turns racing about at wonderful speeds, while the ladies continued inside with their game. We are none of us experienced, of course, driving automobiles, and I am afraid it was I who finally had a bit of a smash, coming round a bend with an old growth chestnut at its apex. This was only to be expected, and is nothing that Heatherington’s man in London cannot manage, but still I must confess a nagging bit of guilt this morning when I think of the inconvenience to which this will put him. I shall send him a basket of finest Moroccan oranges, which are quite his favorite at this time of year.
9 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
5/6/2013 - theportguy wrote: 98 Points
An Affair to Remember: 1851-1994 (Sammamish, Washington): Some mocha, toffee, light, spirity notes on the nose. The color is a very dark ruby, which is surprising for a wine this old. Intense mouthfeel with some red fruit still present. Expansive mouthfeel with red fruit and bing cherry, and a complexity that is quite delightful. The wonderful flavors continued to roll through the exceptionally long finish. Wow!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/4/2007 - Totatalitarian wrote:
A showstopper of a wine. Deep ruby in color with hints of walnut when drawn out shallow enough (for some reason I was compelled to pour a few drops on a clear plate to check this out), the wine offers such a rich, full nose that a deep inhalation passed over me like a warming wave of black cherries, prunes, anise, smoked nuts and that Mexican hot chocolate redolent of cinnamon and nutmeg. The wine is very sweet, jam-like even but with an offsetting acidity that made the overall sensation very bright. The finish was very long, and, even after we finished the bottle, the aromas lingered as we sat and chatted. Sadly, the only bottle of this port in my cellar, and one that I think will prove too difficult to replace.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/15/2007 - Xavier Auerbach wrote: 100 Points
The Fine Wine Experience Quinta do Noval & Nacional Tasting (with Christian Seely) (Institute of Directors, London): English-bottled by Fearon, Block, Bridges and Routh. A giant, an athlete and a ballerina all rolled into one. Such power, such finesse; flowery and ethereal nose, ultra-refined liquorice, very deep, harmonious, wonderful grip, the proverbial iron fist in a velvet glove, spices, enormous length. No words of mine can do justice to it. Absolutely sublime. Perfect even.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/25/2002 - Paul from the Oblong Table wrote:
Drank this bottle with Leila and Bob Xmas dinner. I’m not sure that is was worth $2500 but it did taste great with Stilton cheese.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment