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VERY dissapointing. This is only my second National (the other being the 1978), and I must say I have NO IDEA what all the fuss is about thus far. Heat. Gingerbread, and a touch of powered sugar. Very december-y, but it is fatally off-balanced, as the heat seriously detracts from any delicousness or...

Really not good. Terrible nose, but somehow not VA (?). Thin, one dimensional. Touch of brown sugar on the finish tries to play redeemer, but this is short, light, and not enjoyable to drink.

78pts

A bit tart, something that felt like 'under-steer' on the finish. Not bad, and actually a bit impressive that it could almost hold its own, given the company it was placed in. 82

Surprised to learn that this was many peoples' WOTN. I actually thought this was very representative of the vintage. My paper reads "Meh. Fine. A little muted, a little short. Not disjointed at all though -- actually has signs of quite good structure. Just doesn't have any fruit to speak of. Bi...

Wow. I've been really disapointed by Graham's lately (thinking of recent experiences with the '77 in particular). People said this wine was corked, and I surely hope for the wine's sake that it was the case. Aspects of it seemed consistent with other (flawed?) bottles of Graham's I've had. Not good....

I actually quite liked this (relative to the bunch). An elusive soy component on the nose. Bit of heat and spice, lacking fruit (a theme of the night), but reasonably balanced and half-decent. 85pts

Clearly flawed. Not much to add.

I think Dow is a strong suggestion. Would also be eager to try older Niepoorts, but I know those are hard to source.

Would be game for a 1960 or a 1977 horizontal as well.

Love the initiative AHB!

It was $28 as I recall. They also had some '80 Ferreira at a similar price. I am quite sure I cleaned them out of both.

Just seeing this thread now, and wondering if there is anything people would like to add. My experience w/ 1992 is fairly limited (Vesuvio, Fonseca, and Niepoort), but it is fairly 'meh' to my palate, with the Niepoort showing much better than the other two, but not close to its 1994 or even 2003. S...

I think a lot of AHB's suggestions are spot on. I think there are also several from 1983 worthy of note (Dow and Fonseca come to mind), 1986s (to the extent you can find any) have proven themselves to be a very strong lot and I think that the 1994 and 2000 Vesuvios are also excellent values (though ...

I'm afraid I will be unable to make this event, as my family is visiting London from the States that weekend.

Sounds like a lovely time. Save a drop for my spirit.

First -- Happy birthday Tom! It was a pleasure to help you celebrate such a momentous occasion. As always, great to see familiar faces, as well as to meet new port enthusiasts I thought the Bowler did a very respectable job, and would imagine it would be even better for 6-8 person events. The aspara...

Also -- I have a colleague who has expressed an interest in the vacant spot, provided he can adopt a bottle.

Is this ok?

Would someone like to offer a decanting time suggestion for my 1960 Croft?

I stand by my call -- at first pour, it showed some promise, despite its simplicity. As this night wore on, the wine became bored, harsh, and unloving. For the benefit of the uninitiated -- This wine was trying to walk what is a fine line between pain and pleasure regarding heat and passion on the f...

Lovely company, and it was a pleasure for me to meet Axel and Dirk in person for the first time. 1978 vintage port is a sham. Not a single wine was remotely 'good' or 'enjoyable to drink' -- pretty astonishing when you consider that we had 11 bottles present (including both Novals). Disjointed, ligh...

Ahh....so this must be that British humor I've read so much about.

WoW! In America, we would say you 'drilled' it. This is 100% correct. In fact, I might go so far as to say I have never before seen a photo so closely capture my impression of a particular wine. Not sure I'd want to stay the whole night, but I'm thankful that I at least got a little taste to spark m...

Game.

Would like to adopt, as I have no 82s.

Thanks for the idea Wolfgang, should make for a rather curious evening.

Game

This is EXACTLY what I want in vintage port. Resolved but still lush and lively in the mouth. Structure, balance, great finish, this has it all. Not comparable to the bottle we tried here a few months ago -- and thanks to Jacob for recommending this to me. Glad to have a few more, and would likely b...

Looked SO young. I guessed an 05, and was surprised to learn it was a 97. Nose reminded me of a Ringland Auzzie fruitbomb. Not bad, just not sure I would have guessed Port had I not known. Rich and full on the mid palate, but the attack and finish are both casper-esque. Will obviously improve, but t...

Would have bet the ranch this was a Warre. Seemed to share a lot in common w/ the 1970, but a bit younger, a tad more simplistic and a touch more alcohol. Still, very very good -- with a plush and round character that was quite attractive. More delicious than the 35 T, but much less interesting/orig...

This wine is flipping crazy. Obviously very light, but with a brown sugary syrupy character. This is like a tallish thinish girl with long dark hair, covered in tattoos and with a few helpings of piercings. Not sure what to make of it exactly, but it sure is distinctive. The only thing I've had that...