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1890 Unknown Shipper vintage port provided by AHB, and consumed at the Old, Odd & Great Off-line at the Portal Restaurant in London on 11th July 2008.

• Links:
  • Arrangements;
  • Placemats;
  • Review of the evening as a whole.
  Wines:
  • 1830 Ferriera vintage port;
  • 1890 Uknown Shipper vintage port;
  • 1890 Unknown Shipper vintage port;
  • 1927 Croft;
  • 1936 Ukranian Massandra;
  • 1963 Warre;
  • 1964 Krohn colhieta branco;
  • 1987 Prager (Napa USA) port;
  • 1989 Skeffington vintage port.

Wording of above post changed to distinguish the two bottles.

The two 1890 bottles.

The capsule of the 1890 Unknown Shipper vintage port (AHB).

Paler than the ?1980 (DRT), and madeira brown. Much heavier in the mouth, with sugar + heat late in the palate. Later, both Alex and I found it extremely tannic on the teeth? Whence came those tannins? Not there at D+30mins; but very furry dentistry at D+3hrs. Don’t know what to make of that.

I recall this being much thicker texture to the other 1980. I was extremely impressed that we had two bttles from a 118 year old vinatge that were bothvery much alive. In truth, I preferred the other bottle of 1890 on the night.

Here is my note from the dregs taken home in a small bottle...

+24 Hours
Bright amber colour. Sticking to the glass like glue when you swirl. Melon on the nose. Nice weight and very smooth. A slight bitterness then a rush of mouthwatering toffee sweetness. A warm glow on the palate and at the back of the tongue. An immensely long finish that has my cheeks watering for a few minutes afterwards. Delicious.

Jo said: Doesn't smell as old as the 1830. Perfume. Pinches the cheeks together like sugary sweets. Spirity, tastes more like brandy than port.

jdaw1 wrote:Paler than the ?1980 (DRT), and madeira brown. Much heavier in the mouth, with sugar + heat late in the palate. Later, both Alex and I found it extremely tannic on the teeth? Whence came those tannins? Not there at D+30mins; but very furry dentistry at D+3hrs. Don’t know what to make of that.

DiRT wrote:I recall this being much thicker texture to the other 1980. I was extremely impressed that we had two bttles from a 118 year old vinatge that were bothvery much alive. In truth, I preferred the other bottle of 1890 on the night.

The other 1980 or 1890 - make your minds up the pair of you.

Eighteen ninety: team SNAFU.

Slightly lighter in colour than the 1890 from DRT served alongside this, a touch more hazel in colour and some green on the rim; perhaps slightly cloudy. Very similar nose to the DRT version, heavy and antiseptic. Sweet but a little hollow on entry and a thicker texture than the DRT. A touch harsh and bitter in the late mid-palate, but more aeration brings out some vanilla and wood ash and a great streak of acidity. Heat shows at the start of the aftertaste, but this fades quickly.

The nose shows some black treacle after time in the glass, with a streak of balancing lemon juice. Drinkable and enjoyable with a very pleasant aftertaste. 89/100.