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From the 1966 v 1967 tasting on 13 Nov 09

D+18 days (60ml kept in the fridge)
Colour is quite light and starting to take on a tawny appearance. A nose of strawberry and coffee. Initially tasting of oranges and then dark chocolate cherry truffle. Very smooth and warming. Excellent length with wave after wave of delicious sweet red fruits.

On the day of the tasting (we all being lax about entering TNs), far paler than the NN67. In the palate lots of mint and heat.

Prodded gently into adding a tasting note, this is what I wrote on the night:

Lighter in colour than the 1967 shown alongside, showing a distinct barley-sugar rim. More open on the nose than the 1967, revealing golden sultanas soaked in lemon juice, steeped with an amazing all spice—absolutely delicious and inviting. Warm and spicy in flavour; mature, sweet and a fabulous middle-age maturity and immense complexity—and stunning late-developing tangerines. Big aftertaste, thick and delicious, which coats the mouth and stays for ages. Simply scrumptious. A fabulous and fantastic wine—one to seek out and drink, but no need to hurry. 96/100. Decanted for 6 hours and drunk on 13 November 2009.

The RAF Club on 13th November 2009. Links:

• Arrangements and planning;
• Review of the evening as a whole;
• First session, a 1966 versus 1967 semi-blind double-horizontal:
  • Placemats;
  • 1966 Noval Nacional;
  • 1967 Noval Nacional;
  • 1966 Sandeman;
  • 1967 Sandeman;
  • 1966 Noval;
  • 1967 Noval;
  • 1966 Warre;
  • 1967 Martinez;
  • 1966 Taylor;
  • 1967 Taylor Vargellas.
• Second session, bring-a-bottle to share:
  • Placemats;
  • 1960 Cockburn;
  • 1963 Dow;
  • 1980 Dow;
  • 1963 Ferreira;
  • 1970 Fonseca;
  • 1970 Gould Campbell;
  • 1963 Graham;
  • 1970 Graham;
  • 1960 Martinez;
  • 1963 Morgan.