ThePortForum.com

Part of The 1970 Horizontal (the definite article being most appropriate all hail organiser Axel P), in The RAF Club, 128 Piccadilly, London W1J 7PY, on Friday 30th January 2009.

Links:

• Review of the tasting as a whole;
• Placemats;
• Afternoon session:
  • ♣ Unknown or Baixa Corgo:
    • J. H. Andresen 1970;
    • Butler Nephew 1970;
    • da Silva 1970;
    • Dalva 1970;
    • González Byass 1970;
  • ♦ Bank of the Douro in Cima Corgo:
    • Barros 1970;
    • Kopke 1970;
    • Robertson’s Rebello Valente 1970;
    • Royal Oporto 1970;
  • ♥ Rios Torto and Roncão Valleys:
    • Borges & Irmão 1970;
    • Delaforce 1970;
    • Quinta do Sibio 1970;
  • â™  Rio Pinhão Valley:
    • Cálem 1970;
    • Cálem Quinta da Foz 1970;
    • Hutcheson 1970;
    • Martinez 1970;
  • ”¡ Douro Superior:
    • Messias 1970;
• Evening session:
  • ♦ Bank of the Douro in Cima Corgo:
    • Croft 1970;
    • Dow 1970;
    • Graham’s 1970;
    • Offley Boa Vista 1970;
  • ♥ Rios Torto and Roncão Valleys:
    • Morgan 1970;
    • Quarles Harris 1970;
    • Ramos-Pinto 1970;
    • Sandeman 1970;
    • Smith Woodhouse 1970;
  • â™  Rio Pinhão Valley:
    • Fonseca 1970;
    • Gould Campbell 1970;
    • Niepoort 1970;
    • Quinta do Noval 1970;
    • Quinta do Noval Nacional 1970;
    • Warre 1970;
  • ”¡ Douro Superior:
    • Cockburn 1970;
    • Ferreira 1970;
    • Taylor 1970;
• Announcement and some planning.

I have lost my notes from the final session but recall that many, but not all, thought this was not showing well on the night. AHB reliably informs me that my rather extensive and flowery note said "Melon".

I have a sample whch I brought home to see whether or not it would improve. This is my note from Decanting + 2 Days:

A powerful liquorice nose. Light weight, rather watery. Citrus flavours quickly fade to a quite bitter finish. Certainly not what I would expect from a stellar wine in a great year. What a pity.

1970 Quinta do Noval Nacional: underperforming reputation (and certainly expense). With something very close to passionfruit, and also something that DRT rightly described as ‟melon”.