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The traditional Christmas Tasting was held in Tom’s pub.

• Review of the evening as a whole;
• Davy's Crusted 197? (I — CPR);
• 196? Martinez (II — MPM);
• 1922 Martinez (III — AHB);
• 1935 Sandeman (IV — IDJ);
• 1945 Dow (V — THRA);
• 1912 Cockburn (VI — PW);
• 1955 Taylor (VII — ?);
• 1924 Unknown (VIII — RLC);
• 1927 Tuke Holdsworth (IX — AP);
• 1933 Quinta do Cais Colheita, bottled 1988 (X — WPS);
• Paperwork: sticky labels, TN and voting pages;
• Planning and arrangements.

25% opacity, brown-orange. Old dates, hints of mint on the nose. Sweet entry, slightly bitter edge, faint acidity. Soft fruits in the finish. Nicely balanced, lively.

The cork was clearly branded "Martinez" but the area of the cork with the branding of the year on it had been eaten by weevils. The bottle appeared to be consistent with the vintages of 1960 or 1963 but my impression of the wine was that it was not the 1963 vintage from Martinez.

Copper-ochre in colour, 30% opaque. Hollow nose with hints of slightly peppery alcohol. Gentle entry of aged and mature port. The flavours spread leisurely over the palate, bringing honey and lemon with them. A very pleasant palate but with limited complexity. Warm honey aftertaste with a slightly peppery flash then a burnt sugar and coffee tone. A long, rather sticky finish. Great levels of acidity keep the port fresh and focused. Served blind this was guessed to be Warre 1963. 85/100. 15-Dec-16. Decanted 1 hour.