1991 Graham's Vintage Port
Posted: 23:08 Fri 22 Jun 2007
First bottle from a case of 12 purchased this month from Seckford Wines, all in perfect condition in owc.
On Decanting
Dark purple red with a pink rim. Huge liquorice aroma that (for my nose) is typical Graham's. No heat in the first sip but then the bottle only came out of the cooler 20 minutes ago so still rather cold. Very subdued at this point, again possibly due to temperature.
+3 Hours
Slightly cloudy in the glass, probably due to rushed standing/decanting but not enough to spoil. Big strawberry and chocolate smell. Huge burst of fruit followed by cheek sucking tannins then a long dry finish. Mouth feel is very thick, you could almost chew this wine! There is an unmistakeable "young port" smell. I have only picked this up previously on bottles less than 5 years old.
+15 Hours
No longer cloudy. A small amount of sediment is lying around the bottom of the decanter so bad decanting was the problem. Young port smell has blown off, now blackcurrant. Strawberry jam taste and tannins seem to have softened considerably. Very smooth now with a long fruity finish. Still no heat showing at any stage. By far the best showing out of the 3 so far.
+28 Hours
Soft and smooth blackcurrent but then a slight bitterness and small amount of heat in the finish. Seems to be passed the peak.
+54 Hours
Big fruit hit on the nose in the decanter - marzipan in the glass. Chocolate and cherry has returned and mouth feel seems to have become thicker again. No bitterness or heat. Good long finish. Very satisfying.
15 hours was definately the best followed by 54 hours. I can't remember what I had been eating just before the 28 hour tasting but it may explain the blip.
On Decanting
Dark purple red with a pink rim. Huge liquorice aroma that (for my nose) is typical Graham's. No heat in the first sip but then the bottle only came out of the cooler 20 minutes ago so still rather cold. Very subdued at this point, again possibly due to temperature.
+3 Hours
Slightly cloudy in the glass, probably due to rushed standing/decanting but not enough to spoil. Big strawberry and chocolate smell. Huge burst of fruit followed by cheek sucking tannins then a long dry finish. Mouth feel is very thick, you could almost chew this wine! There is an unmistakeable "young port" smell. I have only picked this up previously on bottles less than 5 years old.
+15 Hours
No longer cloudy. A small amount of sediment is lying around the bottom of the decanter so bad decanting was the problem. Young port smell has blown off, now blackcurrant. Strawberry jam taste and tannins seem to have softened considerably. Very smooth now with a long fruity finish. Still no heat showing at any stage. By far the best showing out of the 3 so far.
+28 Hours
Soft and smooth blackcurrent but then a slight bitterness and small amount of heat in the finish. Seems to be passed the peak.
+54 Hours
Big fruit hit on the nose in the decanter - marzipan in the glass. Chocolate and cherry has returned and mouth feel seems to have become thicker again. No bitterness or heat. Good long finish. Very satisfying.
15 hours was definately the best followed by 54 hours. I can't remember what I had been eating just before the 28 hour tasting but it may explain the blip.