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Consumed by AHB and DRT at the F77 Emergency, 22 Feb 2011 in El Vinos.

Decanted at 13:30. A small sample was taken immediately, for which I have no note, that had a beautiful rich fruit smell, great mouth-filling structure but lots of heat.

The first full glasses were poured at 16:40. A dark, brooding red. Closed on the nose with some spicy pepper. Very thick, smooth and uncsious with black cherry, dark chocolate and cigar smoke. Lots of powdery tannins and a little heat in the mid-palate which faded into a long delicious finish. Not much later I noted that the tannins were less obvious, with more fruit coming through on the palate. It is fair to say that three hours and ten minutes is not a long enough decanting time for Fonseca 1977 at this point in its evolution.

Fabulous port.

The decanter was empty by 18:15.

D+4 Days from a 60ml sample.

Lots of sweet red fruit on the nose. Thick and chewy entry then lots of heat. The dry tannins quickly come to replace the heat and hide the fruit. This port still seems incredibly young for its age. The finish is long and delicious.

Purchased from behind the bar at El Vino, Fleet Street. Deep red in colour, with some brown tones; 80% opaque. Subdued on the nose, but showing a little Victoria plum and lots of black pepper. A little bit of heat on the nose, but much less than when first decanted. Very dense on the palate - big and burly with a peppery bite; multiple layers of fruit under the pepper, dark and sweet but with an amazing powdery dryness from the tannins that dominates over the sweetness of the fruit. The finish takes a long time to appear, but is full of sweet black licorice and black jelly babies. This is way too young to be drunk now - needs another 10-20 years to reach its peak. Absolutely delicious! 96/100.

Sounds terrible. I’m so pleased I missed it.

Phew dodged that bullet.