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TN: Delaforce 1966

The Deeper Underground 1966 Horizontal, held at the Crusting Pipe, Covent Garden, London WC2E 8RD, on Monday 28 January 2008.

Links:

• Planning and arrangements: pages 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15;
• Review of the evening as a whole;
• TN: Adam 1966;
• TN: Avery 1966;
• TN: Croft 1966;
• TN: Delaforce 1966;
• TN: Dow 1966;
• TN: Fonseca 1966;
• TN: Graham 1966;
• TN: Morgan 1966;
• TN: Noval 1966;
• TN: Noval Nacional 1966;
• TN: Offley Boa Vista 1966;
• TN: Robertson’s Rebello Valente 1966;
• TN: Taylor 1966;
• TN: Warre 1966;
• TN: Berry Brothers & Rudd 1966;
• Placemats and ‘holding bay’ which was later implemented as PrePour.

Bought from a merchant 18 months ago.

Worth noting the new label, capsule and seal. The label states that this was shipped by Quinta and Vineyard Bottlers which suggests that this is an ex-cellars bottle from 1991 or later, after Delaforce became part of the Taylor Fladgate Partnership.

A pale centre and watery rim. Spearmint dominating the nose. A beautiful entry that turns slightly harsh in the mid-palate before the harsh tones resolve themselves with additional air to give fresh pears and sweet damsons. Gently elegant aftertaste that floats away but is better than you'd expect from the palate. A good, modest port, perfect for everyday drinking. 3/3 or 87/100. Decanted for 3½ hours and drunk on 28/1/08.

I was pleasantly surprised by this one. I have not had many Delaforce before and had no idea what it would be like. AHBs comment about it being an ideal everyday drinker is spot on, although I'm not sure many people have the funds to drink 1966 VP every day

My TN says: "Toothpaste!! [nose] - Bloody good for a 42 year old port from the 2nd or 3rd Division!"

I rated this 10th out of 14. AHB had it at 11th.

A big thanks to Simon Lisle for supplying the bottle and Ghandih for supplying the dosh to pay for its addition to the line-up.

A poor showing but only next it's neighbours 10th