1996 Fonseca Guimaraens

[angeleyes]

Decanted, with plenty of small chunks.

Lovely translucent scarlet colour fading slightly to the rim. Cork came out cleanly, but strongly smelling of TCA.

D+0
However the wine has no evidence of the cardboard stink - the nose just isn't revealing much at all. In the mouth, still not giving me anything. There's heat, a firm tannic streak and some bright acidity. Nothing else to speak of. Seems to be hiding away at the moment, will see if it reveals anything tomorrow.

[angeleyes]

On reflection not really scarlet (that would be weird). More a deep purpley red with a light rim.

Anyway

D+14.5
Nose starting to reveal something, but still elusive. Still hiding, finish is a little medicinal. Needs more time, but it is a well balanced wine.

[Michael M.]

Mark, I have from 1996 Sandeman Vau Vintage Port which needs a lot of air. Even after 72 hours it was in a decent condition. Due to the vintage certainly not a blockbuster at all but a focus and depth one can find on the Ruby site only in a VP. Perhaps the FG will reward patience too.

[Alex Bridgeman]

Where did you get the bottle? If one of the supermarkets, consider returning it for a replacement - that very flat nose and palate is very typical of a mildly corked port

[angeleyes]

that very flat nose and palate is very typical of a mildly corked port

You are probably right, though the only TCA I could detect was from the cork; the wine itself has no such smell.
It is, however, still very drinkable especially considering the price paid (£10).

That said, I had a claret-style wine (from Bergerac) a few months ago that had a similarly smelly cork - it had little nose and even less in the mouth, the TCA only became noticeable the following day.

One to put down to experience.