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Served blind at this off-line at the Crusting Pipe, London, on 9th March 2010.

The ports:

• Croft 1982
• Croft 2000
• Croft 1985 x2*
• Niepoort 2003
• Taylor 1980*
• Taylor Quinta da Terra Feita 1986
• Warre 1970
• Warre 1977
• Warre 1983

Wines marked "*" were purchase on the night at TCP due to a world record consumption of 1 bottle each in less than 2 hours, which included dinner

Translucent red/brown with a clear rim. A little dusty on the nose. Nice, thick mouthfeel with rhubard crumble, some heat in the mid palate and a peppery finish.

The guesses:

• DJP: Gould Campbell 1977 (0 points)
• RLC: Warre 1970 (2 points)*
• WS1: 1975 (0 points)
• CSD: Vargellas 1967 (0 points)
• AHB: brought this bottle (0 points)
• DRT: Sandeman 1970 (1 point)
• MKD: 1975 (0 points)

Group score: 1/12

* RLC admitted to seeing a small label marked "W70" on the base of the bottle as it was being poured and was therefore deducted 100 points for cheating

Notes left at the table.

From memory- liked this one, slightly short, bitter finish.

Very disappointed with this bottle. Clearly the lightest and youngest of the bottles (I guessed a 67), this was quite thin and harsh throughout, without much structure or lift. Improved a bit as the night went on, but was quite far from a charmer. Wolfgang commented that it was not a representative bottle, which I was glad to hear, as I have recently purchased two 70 Warre's for my cellar on the strength of Jacob's recommendation. 81pts (flawed?)

Thats really strange. I opened two bottles this year and found them superb. Please try this one again.

Axel

Chris Doty wrote:Very disappointed with this bottle. Clearly the lightest and youngest of the bottles (I guessed a 67), this was quite thin and harsh throughout, without much structure or lift. Improved a bit as the night went on, but was quite far from a charmer. Wolfgang commented that it was not a representative bottle, which I was glad to hear, as I have recently purchased two 70 Warre's for my cellar on the strength of Jacob's recommendation. 81pts (flawed?)

It doesn't sound like a Warre 1970 at all...I hope the others you have are much more like it should be (especially as I now feel a bit responsible for them!)...

Chris Doty wrote:Very disappointed with this bottle. Clearly the lightest and youngest of the bottles (I guessed a 67), this was quite thin and harsh throughout, without much structure or lift. Improved a bit as the night went on, but was quite far from a charmer. Wolfgang commented that it was not a representative bottle, which I was glad to hear, as I have recently purchased two 70 Warre's for my cellar on the strength of Jacob's recommendation. 81pts (flawed?)

It doesn't sound like a Warre 1970 at all...I hope the others you have are much more like it should be (especially as I now feel a bit responsible for them!)...

JacobH wrote:It doesn't sound like a Warre 1970 at all...I hope the others you have are much more like it should be (especially as I now feel a bit responsible for them!)...

1970 Warre is a solid velvet port. Last year I drank at least 6 bottles of this and they were all consistent. Oh well. Don't write it off. I have a Magnum of it I am dying to open at some point. Would like to do a 1970 magnum hortizontal but need a few others to help drink.

mosesbotbol wrote:Would like to do a 1970 magnum hortizontal but need a few others to help drink.

Send a PM to New York tasters and some would surely be willing to trek to Boston. Or come to the old world a magnum 1970 would make an excellent lunch-time warm-up for the Brits.